There is no doubting David Beckham had a good season at Real Madrid but there is also no doubting that Steve McClaren has only picked him because he's trying to hang on to his job. Why he is leaving out Gareth Barry amazes me though.

I always had our previous manager down as the number one footballing muppet but for now that title has been given to the England manager. He really is a muppet for leaving Barry out!

Barry put in a solid performance last night which deserved more. I'm not his biggest fan but I'm big enough to admit that towards the end of the season he was without a doubt our best player.

Tottenham midfielder, who picked up a knock in the win last night even got picked. Did nobody tell him the player went off injured? He also didn't pick David James who for me had a great season. I can only assume that's because James has ridiculed second choice Steve publicly.

James and Barry deserve to be in this squad; it just goes to show how inept the manager is .

He's also gone and picked Michael Owen which just stinks of old boy network. I'm not against the old boy network in general but when it comes down to something that is so public it does shock me. What has Owen done this season to warrant and automatic recall?

Still, I doubt Steve McClaren will be in the job much longer because he is a waste of space. How can he justify giving someone a try in three different positions in two matches? It just doesn't make sense.

When you get in, you are very much in and Steve McClaren is milking it for all it's worth. He's been told by enough people to ignore what is written about him but surely his skin isn't this thick that he doesn't realise he's not wanted, regardless of what 'people in the game' may say to his face?

The only reason I can come up with is confidence. Maybe he doesn't think Barry has enough confidence to be in the squad. It's a reason but it's not a valid one as it's what happens on the pitch and he deserves a shout over some of the players picked.

Goalkeepers: Robinson (Tottenham), Carson (Liverpool), Green (West Ham).

Defenders: P Neville (Everton), R Ferdinand (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea), Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Carragher (Liverpool), Dawson (Tottenham), King (Tottenham), Shorey (Reading).

Midfielders: Beckham (Real Madrid), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Tottenham), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Bentley (Blackburn), Carrick (Man Utd), Lampard (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Dyer (Newcastle).

Forwards: Crouch (Liverpool), Owen (Newcastle), Smith (Man Utd), Defoe (Tottenham).

Comments (23)

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Claridge said:

i think it is a disgrace he can include shorey and dyer ahead of barry in the england squad. Barry has been in great form for villa all season and did well last night! that smarmy prat doesnt have a clue

May 26, 2007

Leenus said:

It's amazing given the lack of genuine left peggers in the squad that Gareth does not figure. Mclaren is a total waste of space. I agree that David james has been outstanding this season and Paul Robinson has had one to forget. Beckham should never have been dropped in my opinion. It smacks of one last throw of the dice.

May 26, 2007

Nick Higginson said:

Dead man walking....Dead man walking....

May 26, 2007

Christo said:

Cheers you made me laugh with that team sheet especially seeing names like P Neville and Shorey now show us the real one

May 26, 2007

alextaylor24 said:

biggest joke ever. he really is a grade A prat. cant get my head around it. he's not had a bad game this year. reguarly being the best player on the pitch. he played really well yesterday. it doesnt help when clear england joke downing gets a double. he's crap and mclaren doesnt no it. every website said that barry played really well. this is what teamtalk said. it sums up what a poor decision it was " Gareth Barry, starting in central midfield even though McClaren is without Ashley Cole next week, certainly impressed. The Aston Villa man showed off an excellent range of passing, was happy to run from deep and was a willing tackler too, outshining partner Jermaine Jenas". and yet jenas who i dont rate is in the squad!!

May 26, 2007

vitharr said:

This is truely amazing indeed. Of the starting eleven, Barry is the only one left out of the squad. That said, I do not expect too much from a manager who fails to realize David James is one of Englands three best goalies. He's clearly the one and only for me at the moment, and Green's fantastic season should certainly have been rewarded by a call-up. I have lost all my faith in this McClaren muppet..

May 26, 2007

Ghosthunter said:

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. I know we are Villa fans and may have a biased view but most of the press agree that Barry should be in the squad. I think McLaren and Venables have been a joke since they took over. Beckham should have stayed in the squad, even if he didn't get a game for a while, but 'that pair' went for the cheap cop out and ditched him to send a message to all the other players and the press that they meant business. Stupid idiots. They can both return to the dugout and watch the games while they sit around and their fat lazy elbows. Gareth, don't let them get you down son!.

May 26, 2007

VijayD said:

Barry needs a rest so look on the bright side McClaren is a looser, i know who id want as England manager but fortunately he's manager of Villa!!

May 26, 2007

Nick123 said:

Its a bit strange how McCalern leaves beckham out, when cappelo does at madrid. then when he starts getting games for madrid again, he can suddently starts getting a call up to the england job. it looks to me that mccalren needs others to help him manage a team. copying others. 100% proff that this man in incompetent, stupid, thick manager we have as england boss. i'm not looking forward to the brazil game, were gonna get thrashed. lets face it england are not a good football team, because its all the same playes and buddies in the team, thats why barry can't get a place in the team, thats why the fa never put o'neil as boss, because he would of changed the team around for the better.

May 26, 2007

the_flabster said:

I hope we dont beat Brazil tbh. It would give us false hope that we are on the up and everyone would be behind Mclaren and i think we need him out as soon as possible so we can get a good squad together ready for the Euro. He always seems to include Downing even when he isnt playing well for club or country but then when Barry has a top season and shows passion for country and does pretty well he gets forgotten. He shouldnt have dropped Beckham and made such a big deal about it because now he looks even more stupid as England have been worse not better without him and now he has recalled him. It is clear that Mclaren has favourites (Downing) and they will never be out of the squad no matter how rubbish they play. Hopefully when we get some more quality in the Villa squad and get higher up in the table next season he will have to start taking notice of Barry for the excellent player he is. There are certain players in the England squad who will always get calls ups Owen is one. He hasnt done anything this season (he was injured) but there are players who have played well in attacking positions who deserve a call up more than him. Owen hasnt been good for England for a while and i think Defoe or Bent could do a better job than him upfront for country but they are overlooked as they havent scored as many goals for England as him but dont forget they have had alot less games. Hopefully we will get hammered by Brazil and then everyone will see what a crap manager Mclaren is and sack him to bring in a good manager (stay away from O'neill ) I dont like to see England lose to anyone and know that saying i hope England get hammered is negative but i think more good would come out of it as it would make alot of people wake up to just how far we have to go if we want to be sucessful. Up the Villa

May 26, 2007

ViLlA 4 LiFe said:

Why did he choose Nicky Shorey instead of gareth Barry?! That amazed me the most!

May 26, 2007

KenVillan said:

McClaren once again shows what a complete fool he is. Last night we saw Phil Neville have one of the worst games a full back has ever had in an England shirt, his reward? to be picked for the next squad. We saw Lennon go off after a few minutes injured, so the fool in charge picks him for the next squad. His pet Downing had a rubbish game, but got two goals, and got in the next squad. Gareth Barry had a good 60 minutes, got forward, hardly wasted a ball, inventive, his reward? not picked for the next squad. He's brought Beckham back because the media are clamouring for him to be in there, and, as said by others, McClaren thinks he'll save his job, then he'll dump him. I give up on the England set up and management, the criticism they've been getting from fans is well deserved.

May 26, 2007

Christo said:

I know for a fact Phil Neville and that manager are good friends and we all know why Downing gets in the squad

May 26, 2007

I HATE BLUES said:

All i feel when ever i see a squad muppet features has picked is pure frustration.I know who should be in the squad but cant do anything about it gets right on my tits,how must barry feel.In this case we would be better off not qualifying and forcing the IDIOTS at the F.A to sack him and bring in another continental manager. maybe we should extend the london borders to include villa park in it?

May 26, 2007

villavision2000 said:

i watched last nights game. gb was great in his passing and his posiontal play going forward!!!!!but i think he didnt tackle as hard as he would of if he was in a villa shirt!!!! do we need gb being injured on england duty and gb being out 4 the season????? i think not!!! could we live without him like the toon has without owen!!!up the villa

May 26, 2007

villavision2000 said:

:- if he dont get picked 4 england then at least we dont have the situation at newcastle with owen!!!up the villa

May 26, 2007

Philip Kibble said:

Ginger Bo**ocks is the new David O'Leary. No balls, stubborn even when he knows he's wrong, loves the press attention even when it's obvious they're laughing at him and from what I've heard this morning from some ex pros he's far from admired. This is not to mention that he's a total hypocrite just like O'Dreary. Apparently he's brought Beckham back for the VERY important game against Estonia. Remind me again how many points they have in our group? I would like to take the positives and be grateful that Barry will get a good rest this summer. The trouble is I feel so sorry for the lad, what else can he do? Join the Spuds I presume. It also does him harm in the fact that not being in the squad means he misses out on being around class players (Downing being the exception). While I'm on a rant let me just mention Downing. His two goals totally gloss over another crap performance from him. If he can't beat or cross past your average Albanian what hope does he have against the Brazilians?

May 26, 2007 | url

Dizzy Mugs said:

Let's all be realistic and note that being the England manager is the toughest job in the World, sure the pay is all good but i don't think anyone could handle the pressure. That said, at least pick a team that deserve to be playing!! Bentley deserves a sub spot but Dyer has done nothing to be picked. Phil Neville has been solid for Everton but ever-useless in an England shirt. King is a strong centre-back and definetly should be partnering JT instead of Mr. Casual Rio Ferdinand. Green has had a truly awful season, nevermind if his defence has been rubs, James has had his best season in his career, a definite choice for all i'd say, except Steve. Owen isn't fit enough to be playing internationals yet and Crouch will only be useful if we have a good crosser (BARRY!) in the squad. Smith and Defoe definetly deserve a spot but where has Wayne Rooney got to?!

May 26, 2007

tonyvilla said:

Steve Mclaren is an absolute waste of space!!! He plays everyone out of position and has the same boring, non motivational managerial style as Eriksson. The sooner hes gone, the better! GB had a brilliant game on Friday and looked like one of the few players trying to get forward and make something happen. GB is exactly what England need, its just a shame our muppet of a manager doesn't see it.

May 26, 2007

Hailsey said:

Barry's control and awareness provided mith with the first goal, his overall performance was first class. Jenas is a joke struggling as a premiership player let alone an international. As for Downing cannot beat a player, cannot cross the ball, set pieces are rubbish the only way he can get into the squad, he must have a SPECIAL relationship with Muppet McClaren. I leave the SPECIAL relationship for others to decide but it has nothing to do with fotball!!!!

May 27, 2007

Ghosthunter said:

What a surprise. Lennon out of squad injured!!!! - Nice call Steve

May 27, 2007

MikeinCanada said:

It has become sucha joke that I don't even bother watching the England squad. Its full of media favourites rather than footballers who will get the job done. Can't be bothered. Hopefully, Gingergit will be gone after the Brazilians embarrass us.

May 28, 2007

geesus4villa said:

BOYCOTT ENGLAND!!!!!! we villa fans MUST put as much pressure as possible on the fa to sack mclaren and bring in a manager who can tell what a good cross looks like, don't buy england shirts, tickets etc. hit them where it hurts, in the pockets.

May 28, 2007

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