Mend it like Beckham
PETER SCHMEICHEL EXCLUSIVE ENGLAND'S EURO FLOPS MUST..
Simon Mullock 02/12/2007

England's Euro 2008 failures can learn from David Beckham as they seek forgiveness from the nation's disillusioned football fans.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes the Three Lions flops should turn to the man who once transformed himself from Public Enemy No.1 into a national hero as they go about repairing their sullied reputations.

Schmeichel, who inspired Denmark to a shock European Championship triumph 15 years ago, was an Old Trafford team-mate of Beckham when the England man returned from France 98 in disgrace following his red card in the defeat to Argentina.
He believes it was the experience which forged Beckham as both a player and a personality. Schmeichel said: "Scott Carson took most of the blame for the defeat against Croatia last week because of the mistake he made for the first goal.


"But it became clear over the weekend that a lot of fans feel the other players were just as responsible - and some of them will come under the same kind of scrutiny that David Beckham had to go though in 1998.
"They've been branded as greedy people who don't care enough about the England shirt. That's something I don't agree with - but I didn't agree either with the amount of abuse that Beckham had to put up with.
"My advice to Carson, and any other England player who gets stick, would be to turn to David for advice. The amount of criticism he got after France 98 could have finished him as a footballer, but instead it made him the player he became.

"Now the players who have been hammered for failing to qualify for Euro 2008 have to decide whether they want to run away and hide or use the experience to improve themselves."
He added: "Beckham showed unbelievable mental strength to come through to the other side. It was magnificent to see one of your team-mates respond like that.
"When he went to the World Cup in 1998 he was a very good player. The next season he was an absolutely extraordinary player and was one of the reasons why United won the Treble.
"He didn't hide from anything. He would take corners within yards of the fans who were abusing him, yet he just got better and better.

"He showed no fear whatsoever. He just produced a succession of great performances and, within a couple of years, he was the hero of English football. There's no doubt in my mind that David Beckham became the player and person he was because of what happened against Argentina."

Beckham defied all the odds to return to the England fold after being unceremoniously dumped by Steve McClaren in the aftermath of his appointment as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor. The England coach was forced into a humiliating U-turn even though the midfielder had by then swapped Real Madrid for LA Galaxy.

Schmeichel says it would be folly for the next England manager to make the same mistake - even though Beckham will be 35 by the time South Africa stages the 2010 World Cup.
He said: "David once again showed incredible mental strength to get himself back into the England squad after McClaren had dropped him.

"And when he came on against Croatia the impact he had on the game was massive and he was easily England's best midfielder - that showed he can still influence huge international matches.

"I think the next manager would be crazy to discard David like Steve McClaren did. I know Beckham attracts a lot of media interest, but what I can't understand is why the other England players seems to be jealous of that.
"I know from experience you don't want all the media attention that goes with every big international tournament, so you would think the other players would be grateful to David for dealing with it so they can prepare properly.

"I've heard David say he wants to go for 2010 and why not? He may not start too many matches, but he is perfect to bring on when you need someone to make a big impact."

Zero to HERO

David Beckham was public enemy number one after he was sent off in England's 1998 World Cup finals knock-out stage clash with Argentina.
England ended up losing on penalties and Beckham, then just 23 years old, was slaughtered for his petulant behaviour. Less than a year later Goldenballs was the golden boy again after starring in Manchester United's treble triumph.
And by the end of that year his England redemption was complete as well as he helped Kevin Keegan's side clinch their place in Euro 2000 with a play-off victory over Scotland.

im really impressed by his comment on becks. they had been teammates few years back but he refused to back down when england players starting to blame themselves and got a lil jealous with becks achievement so far. perhaps someone needs to knock on some senses on these guys. becks was a no 1 enemy in his own country 8 years ago but he wouldnt let all those maniacs ruining his career. he has become a player that i have yet seen in football history. people hated him but he continued to move on with his life and proved to people that he wasnt going to let down man utds fans. in 2006, ste-c reigned as england coach and ditched becks as soon as he started his clockwork. but few months later, becks saved his career and england had a slim chance to qualify for EURO 08.

the last match against croatia was nothing but a reminder to the fans that becks can still produce some good crossings. not long after his involvement in the 2nd half, he made a cross that led to a goal scored by peter crouch. it was simple but accurate like he always does. but ste-c made an error judjement by pulling back jermaine defoe to the midfield area which caused england a flight on a private jet to swiss/austria. it still hurts saying those words, but nothing i can do to make anything better. it was a tough loss to england and i believe, the fans cant accept apologies both from ste-c and his squad simply bcoz it was only a game that needed a point and nothing less or more. but ste-c is proving time and time again that he didnt worth the job. he failed and people suffered bcoz of his errors.

if becks wants to play in 2010, why bother?. he always good at proving people wrong, maybe he can do it once again? hopefully he will make it to 2010. i have no idea whos going to be the next england coach. i am only hoping that it would be someone who has a good CV, unlike ste-c who only managed to reach UEFA cup finals with boro. international football is a different class from any club levels. every games involve huge risks and there will be no next year once a country lost to an opponent. whoever makes out to be the man, i hope he wont rule out becks involvement in england as playing for his country means a lot to him. england will play a friendly match around february 2008, and i cant wait to watch the game and see becks crossing those magnificent passes. i guess i have to be patient and see the outcome.