Recall Beckham? Experts can't agree

BY LEONARD LIM - DAVID Beckham's sizzling form in Spain has caused ripples in England.

The big question: Should England coach Steve McClaren, who dropped the player said to be the world's best crosser last year, welcome him back to the fold?

Yes, said three of the five football experts The Straits Times asked.

The detractors feel that Beckham's replacements, Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Philips, are not ready yet for the big stage.

Former Singapore coach Barry Whitbread is among those who hope the Real Madrid midfielder will be given another chance.

'He shouldn't have been left out in the first place,' said Whitbread. 'When McClaren became the new manager, he wanted to send the message that he was in charge. But Lennon and Wright-Philips, are not ready at international level yet.

'Beckham can win a game with his set-pieces.'

The Englishman's view has the support of BBC sports news correspondent, Gordon Farquhar.

'He's on form for Real now,' said Farquhar. 'He's also always determined to do well for his country.

'I think he's still the best crosser in football, and probably one of the best four or five dead-ball specialists in the world.

'England will benefit from his return.'

The Football Association of Malaysia's technical director, Robert Alberts, said that Beckham's return could provide a psychological lift for the Three Lions, after their recent string of poor results.

England travel to Israel for a must-win European qualifier on March 24, on the back of four games without a victory.

The main reason for their poor form, according to Farquhar: Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard failing to gel in the team's engine room.

And this is where Beckham comes in.

Said Dutchman Alberts: 'He may not have the speed of Wright-Philips, but he can deliver a quality pass.'

But not every one feels the welcome mat should be laid out for Beckham. Among them is James Lawton, chief sports writer and columnist for The Independent, an English daily.

He said: 'Beckham is already over the hill. It's ridiculous to recall him when he's already 31.

'He has played in a few World Cups and European Championships, and been a failure in all. He's more hype than anything else.'

Sports journalist Spencer Robinson agreed, saying: 'McClaren should focus on developing the young ones like Lennon on the right wing.

'Beckham certainly is better than everyone else in the England team in terms of his dead-ball skills, but bringing him back means McClaren must change his style.

'If he decides to pump long balls to the forwards, then yes, use Beckham. But that approach won't get you anywhere internationally.

'McClaren should instead stick to building a young dynamic team with pace going forward, to make them real contenders for the World Cup.'

The British-born but Singapore-based scribe added that fleet-footed Wright-Philips, 25, and Lennon, 19, are both good at taking on defenders and getting to the byelines.

'Wright-Philips has also shown in his Manchester City days what a great dribbler and finisher he is,' he said. 'Lennon and Theo Walcott went to the World Cup last year. We've got to continue using and blooding them.

'They are England's future.'

Lawton laid the blame for England's poor run on McClaren.

'He doesn't have a clue in terms of tactics, look at the recent matches' he said, pointing to McClaren's 4-3-3 formation against Spain on Feb7, when England lost 0-1.

'Don't bring Beckham back. Why not move Gerrard out on the right? Apart from being explosive, he also scored 20-plus goals for Liverpool last season from that position.' SHOULD Steve McClaren recall David Beckham to the England squad?

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