Inter Milan falling over the finish line

For a man that demands perfection, Jose Mourinho may feel a little unnerved at Inter’s faultering finale. The Scudetto will almost certainly arrive, but as the Nerazzuri dropped more points this weekend, what was looking like a handsome precession is turning into a workmanlike plod.

Workmanlike is also the best way to describe the performance during the 1-0 defeat at Napoli. Laboured and one-paced, Mourinho’s men lacked the zest of Roberto Donadoni’s side, who secured victory through substitute Marcelo Zalayeta’s goal on 73 minutes. Genuine goal-scoring chances were in short supply, and only flashes of continuing improvement from Mario Balotelli highlighted another fruitless trip to Naples.

Indeed the San Paolo is fast becoming one of Inter’s least favourite destinations having not won there since 1997. The score was an exact replica of last season’s game at this venue, with Zalayeta once again grabbing the winner.

Without competitive Champions League action, and holding a virtually insurmountable lead at the top of Serie A, Inter carry the look of a side counting down the days and the points until a fourth consecutive title is secured. A recent collection of two points from nine means Milan can once again be seen in the rear-view mirror, but their remaining five games, on paper, possess enough opportunity to gather the remaining nine points to see them confirmed as champions.

That scenario is of course not lost on the Special One, who chose to highlight the position his side find themselves in, rather than dwell on another stuttering performance, “We have to focus only on ourselves for five rounds and that is a wonderful advantage to have. We play three of those games at home, so we could win the title just with our San Siro encounters. It is a very positive situation.”

Having been unable to overhaul Sampdoria’s three goal advantage from the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Thursday, the Scudetto if and when completed, would represent the meeting of the minimum expectations from Mourinho and his side.

The Portuguese Coach was hired essentially with the remit of bringing the European Cup back to the San Siro for the first time since the Helenio Herrera led teams of 1964 and 1965, and whilst Mourinho’s arrival does not guarantee success in that competition, President Moratti and the fans would expect team progression following on from the achievements of Roberto Mancini.

Although Mourinho would vehemently disagree, it is hard to put forward any case that he has tangibly improved the side he inherited from Mancini. The two barometers by which a season can largely be judged for a club of Inter’s stature are league and Champions League performances. On both counts the outcomes are identical – a domestic League Title gained and early elimination from Europe. If Mourinho has only continued what Mancini started, the question must be asked, should Inter expect more from Mourinho, or should Mourinho expect more from Inter?

It could be concluded that Inter were simply unlucky to be drawn against Manchester United in the first knock-out stage of the Champions League. True, Manchester United are the holders of the trophy, were unbeaten in 19 ties prior to the meeting, and at the time were the form side in Europe having brushed aside teams at home and abroad. Inter had their moments during the Old Trafford game, and had they took one of a handful of chances sandwiched in between United’s two goals the outcome could have changed.

However, one has to remember that it was Inter’s lacklustre group stage showing that got them paired with United in the first place. A routine group consisting of Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos and Anorthosis Famagusta should have been topped, and with it comes the protection of having to face the continents most feared teams. Panathinaikos, who did win the group, faced Villarreal – a useful team in their own right – but opposition much more negotiable than Manchester United in pursuit of a place in the quarter finals.

For this Mourinho has to shoulder responsibility, but judging from the showing versus Manchester United, and similarly the previous year’s demise against Liverpool, the Nerazzuri do not as yet possess the strength and quality in first eleven and squad to challenge the English clubs and Barcelona as genuine contenders for Europe’s top honour.

Mourinho took over an ageing squad, reinforced by three signings in Ricardo Quaresma, Sulley Muntari and Alessandro Mancini, whom were never likely to significantly breach the gap between Inter and the best. A year on, a year older and still the majority of the team is that of the Mancini days. It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will be given the money and licence to replenish the squad adequately enough for next season. There are no shortage of candidate’s to be replaced, with Luis Figo, Julio Cruz, Hernan Crespo, Patrick Vieira and Marco Materazzi all looking well past their prime. With the correct players to work with, Mourinho undoubtedly has the capability to win the Champions League, unless he is granted the acquisitions, Inter will continue to fall short.

So perhaps this ‘blip’ that Inter are having could prove to be a silver lining in Mourinho’s pursuit of a stronger pool of players. It may persuade the clubs hierarchy of the need to lower the average age of the squad, and reinvigorate with some younger bodies. There was evidence against Napoli of heavy legs, both individually and collectively as a team. If this team is to succeed in Europe as well as domestically, it must be able to cope with playing a higher number of games at a higher intensity.

The Napoli defeat was Inter’s first since mid-January, and they will be keen to get back to winning ways this weekend when they entertain Lazio. More dropped points would not classify as a disaster, but four games without a win would bring an uneasy apprehension and focus to what should have been a straightforward conclusion.

For this game Inter will need to do without the suspended Balotelli and Dejan Stankovic. Maicon, Manicini, Luis Jimenez and Nelson Rivas are also still sidelined through various injuries, and unsurprisingly but most notably, Adriano will of course not feature following the termination of his contract by the club last week. The troubled striker has been AWOL since going home to Brazil on international duty at the end of March. Having missed large parts of last season due to poor physical and mental condition, the Brazilian had initially forged his way back into first team contention, but now says he doesn't want to return to Italy, or play football in the immediate future.

It is rare for footballers to warrant sympathy, but Adriano's situation shows the potential pitfalls such wealth and prosperity can bring. Brought up in the tough Rio favela of Vila Cruzeiro, the transition from talented street kid to global superstar can arrive too quickly, and it is clear Adriano could not adapt to his latter, more prestige mantle. His decline is all the more worrying when the timescale is put into perspective. After being signed from Flamengo in 2002, Adriano drew genuine comparisons to a young Ronaldo. The raw materials were all there. the skill, power, pace and goal-scoring prowess all suggested the makings of a world class striker, just three years after his face adorned the cover of a well-known football computer game, 27-year-old Adriano Leite Ribeiro is thought to be in hiding at his Mothers house having "lost the happiness of playing football."

A more critical loss to la Beneamata would be that of majestic Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic - in imperious form in the Coppa Italia win over Sampdoria - who shared some interesting views during a television interview; "I won everything in Italy; I learnt a lot from Italy. But there is a moment in your life, like when I was at Ajax, when you say to yourself you want to try something new. I have a contract with Inter and I feel good. But as the same time I would like to test something new now because I've been in Italy for five years."

Ibra's own words hinting at a summer move away from the San Siro, although do expect to see a hasty retraction with a claim that something was lost in translation. Such speculation is unlikely to amuse Jose Mourinho, who will hope his star man will let his feet do the talking this weekend in the pursuit of three points against Lazio.

Old Firm itching for Premier League honeypot

Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside's proposals for a revamped two-tier Premier League system have once again raised the subject of allowing the Old Firm to compete in England.

Whatever the pro's and cons of Gartside's plan are, the door should not be opened for Rangers and Celtic to join in.

If this happens, it will set a dangerous precedent and talk of euro-super leagues would not be far away. The likes of PSV, Porto and Rosenborg would watch on eagerly.

The financial benefits of the theory would appeal to the money men of the Premier League, it's clubs and the television executives, but most of all that of the two Glasgow giants.

Take away any of the fair-middling plodders of the PL and replace them with clubs of the size and stature of Rangers and Celtic and the strength of the competition improves further.

Their inclusion in the current or any amended Premier League set-up would undoubtedly provide more entertainment, and generate even more interest for the league globally. Further swelling the coffers and monopoly English football carries on the sports worldwide audience.

Celtic Cheif executive Peter Lawwell claims that if a serious propsal came in, they would give it, "serious consideration." Both clubs must be envious of the wealth the English game commands, and must believe a move south of the border is the only way to progress given the totalitarian dominance of their domestic league. Not since 1985and the Alex Ferguson led Aberdeen has anyone else won the SPL, and an end to this sequence looks highly unlikely.

However, the Old Firm have a duty and an obligation to Scottish football. It's difficult to see how them not participating in their own national league would do anything to strengthen the game in their country?

The influence of Scottish players on the English game has been in decline since the 80's. The scottish representative at clubs like Liverpool in the 70's and 80's were not only good players at top clubs, they were among the best players in the league.

Scotland simply does not produce the calibre of player it once did and this is reflective of the standard of the game there. The Dalglish and Souness's have not been replicated, and to place blame at the door of the Old firm for these failings would be a short-sighted indicment of the structure of Scottish Football.

Without the pair, Scottish football would become even more unpalatable than it is now. Average attendances excluding Rangers and Celtic vary between 4000-15000, any budding youngsters would still be cherry picked by either or, and the SPL would struggle to lure any foreign talent of significant ability.

The attendances for the remaining clubs may rise if they are involved in a renewed title challenge, but overall support and focus would further increase for Rangers and Celtic through their involvement in the much more lucrative and prestigious English equivalent. Rangers v Chelsea or Aberdeen v Hearts? The appeal to the neutral observer is heavily weighted.

The danger would then be that interest completely subsides from scottish domestic football, with the big two immersing themselves in the glory and riches of the EPL without contributing to the development or economic well-being of football in their own country.

It would be a selfless act for Rangers and Celtic to accept an invitation to climb aboard the Premier League bandwagon, but with such great financial carrots being dangled to them, it would be an incredibly difficult proposition to reject.

Wenger's thing of beauty still not ready for prizes

Yet another truly mesmerising Premier League game. Liverpool and Arsenal continuing a refreshing recent trend of games between the 'big four' that actually live up to the billing.

Eight goals was an honourable reward for two teams insistant on attack from the start.

Love him or loathe him, you cannot help but admire the purism of football that Arsene Wenger instills into his Arsenal team.

Time and time again the passing, movement and intricacies of their play was a joy to watch. Victoria concordia crescit, or, victory through harmony is the official club motto. Thou shall not hoof it - the unofficial remit, often insisting on passing their way out of potentially perilous territories.

The flair and fusion of the frontmen is complimented by the quick thinking of an intelligent midfield. This, as Liverpool can now testify, can be a difficult combination to stop.

Having almost boxed-off fourth place, focus is solely on the Champions League semi with Manchester United.

It won't have escaped Wenger's attention about how much time and space was afforded to Porto's midfield in their tie at Old Trafford. If Arsenal expose United's back-line so frequently, they may not be as forgiving as the Portugese champions.

With the first leg at O.T, much focus will be on Arsenal's ability to look after Rooney and Ronaldo, but a much more important factor is whether United have the legs in midfield to stop the dashes of Arsenal's mobile movements.

Against Porto, Carrick and Fletcher looked sluggish, whilst Paul Scholes simply looked too slow. This is an area Fabregas, Adebayor, Van Persie and co will look to exploit, and a tough selection poser for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite the importance of this game, it is doubtful Wenger will temper the freedom of his players. He will have full confidence of outplaying and out-scoring the Champions, an attitude although admirable, proves costly, and detrimental to their chances of adding tangiable prizes to the unrewarded endorsements of Arsenal's fragrant style.

Three times the lead was relinquished against Liverpool. Benayoun's last minute equaliser came with two Arsenal forwards posted high up the pitch in search of yet another goal. The result was an overstretched defence, an overlap at the back post and three points then became one.

Such reticence to 'spoil' games in order to gain maximum points have punctuated previous league campaigns, and is a key factor in Arsenal still falling behind the pace in the title challenge.

It will be interesting to see how Wenger addresses these failings, and whether he is prepared to sacrifice any of his utopian football philosophy for a more pragmatic approach.

True, the 'invincibles' of 2003/4 were embossed with the same mentality as the current crop, but a spine including Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira provided enough brawn to repel the more rigorous tests.

Even Wenger's first title winning side of 1997/98 were built on the foundations of the impegnable Seaman-Dixon-Keown-Adams-Winterburn quintet, coupled with the Vieira-Petit barrier in front of that.

Today's team does not come close to containing that steel, and it remains difficult to see them as serious title challengers if they continue to totally rely on the total football approach.

There has been an obvious need for a midfield ball-winner and a dominant central defender for two seasons now, yet Wenger continually buys players that fit the Arsenal mould.

Regardless of how skilful your side are, the nature of the Premier League throws up half a dozen games a season where blood, sweat and tears are needed. Such hurdles haven't been negotiated well enough since 2004, and a change of personnel and/or attitude will be required if the five season wait for the title is going to end soon.

Such alterations shouldn't be difficult to fathom, or too wrenching for Wenger to sway from his beliefs. Nobody would have left Anfield last night criticising Arsenal for battoning down the hatches in injury time.

The overall quality and entertainment of Arsenal's football cannot be questioned, what can be asked of Wenger is whether he is prepared to let a little give for the benefit of a lot of take.

If Arsenal can combine the facets of their fantastic attacking play, with a renewed solidarity at the back, they can become a genuine force for honours both home and abroad.

Small matters. big stakes. If Wenger is to be truly classed as one of the managerial greats, his desire for success will override his desire for wonderful football, and he will accept that winning ugly is just as important as winning beautiful.

Pure Theatre, modern art.

Football. What can we say?

Tonights Chelsea-Liverpool thriller was one of those once in a generation games, where the memories last a lifetime, and ensure that the traditions and power of football remain forever.

Such games should be classed as modern art.

Plays, films, music are too frequently lauded for their artistic merit and impact. Can any pre-scripted material possibly come close to matching the dramas and emotion that live sport provides?

There are many aspects of the game that can numb the love. Between such encounters come barren periods of over-hyped garbage.

The volume of games and coverage brought to our screens has saturated the market, and even the constant, incessant glorification of the sport cannot inspire players to produce the amount of quality promised by the media.

Encounters between these two teams have been notoriously drab. All too aligned with the negative aspects of football. "Shit on a tick" to keep up Jorge Valdano's art analogy. Tonight was a true footballing classic.

Past tussles have generally fallen into the over-hyped garbage category. Usually central to the plot was a certain Jose Mourinho, who is said to be missed by the English media.

Is he? Who's actually missed him over this tie? And missed what? All the talking took place on the pitch. Where it belongs.

Boys the world over grow up and grow an affity with a football, dreaming of being Frank Lampard or Fernando Torres, not Jose Mourinho.

So hats off to what Chelsea and Liverpool have produced over two performances of the best live entertainment you are likely to see.

On and off field histrionics and portrayals of money-mad footballing celebrities do little to promote footballers as role models.

However, the application of talent, dedication and desire of these individuals to elevate themselves to the top of their profession is too frequently overlooked as a reference of inspiration to the nations kids.

Bad news sells. Sex sells. Stories of dogging and WAGs carry more miles than tales of low-carb diets and early nights before a match.

The match was a classic and deserves to be remembered that way. The fact that such spectacles are few and far between only adds to the appeal once they arrive.

These games fuel the fire of the global brand. Unfortunately now the piece will be flogged to death. Recycled, advertised, commercialised, sensationalised.

Unfortunate but inevitable. Inevitable because few arts can replicate the pure theatre of this beautiful game.

Messi the magician the worlds best by far.....

For every great icon, be it in film, music, sport or elsewhere, there are stories, myths and urban legends which add to the mystique and character of that individual.

Many of these stories derive from a pre-fame time. Dubious claims, most of which cannot be ratified, add a sense of intrigue and impromptu genius to what we later know to become a breathtaking talent.

And so one goes....It's the summer of 2000 and FC Barcelona are holding trials, with many hopeful young boys all aspiring to gain a place into the famed academy of the Catalan giants.

A spindly 12 year-old kid - with legs like pipe cleaners - is mistakenly sent to play with a group a few years younger such is his slight of frame and lack of inches.

The young boy voices up and tells the coaches, unaware he is suffering from a growth hormone deficiency, his real age, and the lad is sent to play in the correct age group.

This session is being observed by Carles Rexach, a former Barcelona player, manager and sporting director at the time. Just five minutes in, Rexach notices the pale, frail, beedy eyed boy running rings around the rest. "We'll have him" declares Rexach, and so Lionel Andres Messi arrived at Barcelona.

Even from such a tender age, the recognition of Messi's ability was so great that the club offered to uproot his family from Argentina, and pay for the growth hormone treatment he required.

The Messi family obliged, and a love affair began.

In purely footballing terms, there seems a natural bond between Barca and Messi.

The ever increasing capitalist circles around football are honourably shunned by Barcelona, whilst Messi remains commercially and publicity shy. Both parties united for their love of the ball and the beautiful game.

The same summer of 2000 that saw Messi's arrival, saw one time Barca vice captain and wing wizard Luis Figo absconded from the Camp Nou to bitter rivals Real Madrid. There seems little chance of Messi ever doing anything similar.

Given the physical constraints of his youth, Messi's rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable.

He made his Barca debut aged just 16, his Argentina debut 54 days after his 18th Birthday, and now, still aged just 21, is the catalyst of these two footballing institutions.

What is even more remarkable is the level of personal performance for one so young.

So many players fail to harness potential into tangiable product. By 21, careers can remain unfulfilled. punctuated with moments of brilliance, yet stained with long periods of frustration.

Learning curves, experience and maturity are defensible manager speak for protege's not quite doing the business. None of the terms have ever need been applied to Messi.

His head seldomly turned by hype or off-field distractions, in little over four seasons he has risen from the outskirts of Barca's first team to being undoubtedly the best, and most effective player in world football.

Wednesday nights Champions League Quarter Final demolition of Bayern Munich was just one in a number of extraordinary outings from Messi, in which he has single handedly destroyed top-class opposition.

To score two goals and set another two up in a Champions League quarter is an achievement in itself, but such performances of individual brilliance are commonplace for a man used to making a mockery of the worlds best defences.

Already Messi can boast a hat-trick against Real Madrid, another against Atletico Madrid aswell as numerous important and influential goals at home and abroad.

Twice this season he has been summoned from the bench to turn one goal deficits into 2-1 victories. Against both Shakhtar Donetsk and Racing Santander, he came on to score both goals.

To simply define Messi's game in terms of goals would be a complete injustice. The speed and grace with which he moves with the ball is staggering. His close control and dribbling ability are unparalleled and crucially, a brilliant footballing brain resonates, and compounds the link between speed of thought and speed of movement to devastating effect.

Aside from the goals there are the assists, aside from the assists there is the general havoc he wreaks whenever in posession, apart from all that there is the fear he brings. Teams and players are scared of Messi. He is unstoppable.

A concise arguement would suggest the only player currently comparable to Messi is Cristiano Ronaldo. Deservedly owner of the Ballon D'Or for 2008, following a remarkable 42 goals and League and European Cup double for Manchester United.

Even still this season, Ronaldo is joint top of the Premier League scoring charts despite missing the first month through injury. But is even Ronaldo comparable to Little Leo?

You can either choose to believe that statistics never lie, or decide that there are lies, damn lies and statistics. Either way, I'll present a few to chew over.......

- Lionel Messi has played 151 games in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 74 goals. A strike rate of 0.49 goals per game.

- Cristiano Ronaldo has played a total of 282 games for Manchester United, scoring 112 goals. A strike rate of 0.39 goals per game.

- Lionel Messi is 21, in 3 seasons at Manchester United from 18-21, Ronaldo played 137 games, scoring 27 goals, a strike rate of 0.19.

- In the Champions League, Messi has 16 goals in 30 ties, Ronaldo 13 in 51.

Not only does Messi have a better overall goals to games ration, his figures dwarf that of Ronaldo in the games he played at a similar age.

Against arguably Manchester United's two closest rivals, Chelsea and Liverpool, Ronaldo has scored only 4 goals in approaching 30 games. Messi has 4 in 5 against Real Madrid.

Make your own mind up. I know mine is.

These statistics are not meant as a tool to flog or criticise Cristiano Ronaldo, more to embrace the sublime, majestic ability of the greatest player on earth, Lionel Andres Messi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLW4DKoncvM&feature=related

Shearer: The hand made, flat-packed hero.

There is much to admire about Alan Shearer's career. A championship winner, all-time record goal scorer for Newcastle United and in the Premier League, captained his country with pride and led a squeaky clean, fence-creasoting type of life off the pitch.

Shearer could never be described as a media darling, but he certainly knows which side of the tracks to stay on. The nicey smiley banter from the Match of the Day studio has done little to alter this perception.

Almost like the lad at school that leaves the scene just before the teachers come, Shearer has managed to maintain the persona he always intended. Just the son of a sheet-metal worker from Gosforth.

But perhaps the fascination with this image has invariably hamstrung Shearer's achievements?

Amongst an array of commendable personal honours, there lies a solitary League Winners medal in his trophy cabinet. Claimed at the age of 24, following 3 seasons with unglamorous Blackburn Rovers where he ammassed 93 goals in 123 games.

The most prolific striker of our generation was easily Europe's most coveted striker, and another 37 goals in the 1995/96 season followed by 6 at Euro96 did not temper interest.

Juventus, Barcelona and Manchester United all entered the frame for his signature when time came to uproot from Lancashire, but his decision to return to his beloved hometown Newcastle came more from sentiment and family values, than from any self-centred desire for success.

True, Newcastle were on the crest of a wave. Kevin Keegan's side captured the imagination of the public with their foot loose and fancy free attacking football which led them to two consecutive top-six spots.

Shearer may have seen himself as the final piece in the jigsaw. The spearhead of a title charge, the local lad banging in the goals, lifting the trophy on the Town Hall steps infront of thousands of adoring Geordies.

But he's an intelligent bloke. You don't need to look back through many Rothman's year books to work out League Titles don't happen when you are managed by a tactically inept bottler with a dodgy defence.

He should have also twigged on that Newcastle's upsurge was due to Sir John Hall's generosity, and a strong fan base from the North-East and the North-East alone. Such credentials were never going to see them stave off the super-powers of Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester United.

Keegan came and went, so to did a variety of managers, new dawns, hollywood signings and inevitably any chances of tangiable success.

Shearer remained. Ignorance is bliss, and the loyalty to his club is one up for the purists, especially when he broke Jackie Milburn's goalscoring record infront of the Gallowgate.

However, boots hung-up, Shearer could not have been satisfied with what he reaped from his career, and in moments of solace he must wonder what he could have achieved had his path been trod elsewhere.

Like many, many footballers, an undoubted talent was not lavished with the glory of the silverware it deserved. Unlike many, many footballers, Shearer's chances were not ruined by injury, agents, commercialism or fame. His was composed and pre-meditated.

Ten seasons he donned the famous black and white striped shirt. Chances of another league championship diminished with each passing year.

Yet Shearer never sought pastures new, and a revived bid for honours.

Contentment prevailed over greed. An acceptance of fate.

And so now, Shearer the manager. Newcastle are on their knees. Relegation is somewhere between possibility and probability, with an unenviable set of fixtures, and Joe Kinnear laid up with a dicky ticker.

Only one man for the job, surely?

Except, where's Super Al been until now?

The job came up full time pre-season 2007. Having had a years sabbatical since retirement, the Geordie faithful cried out but Al said he wasn't ready.

Enter and exit Sam Allardyce and the managers seat is vacant once more, but Al reckons he still isn't up to the job so Mike Ashley gives the fans the next best thing: Kevin Keegan.

That ended in tears, and once again Al spurned the wishes of his idolising fans by distancing himself from the job. Still not ready one presumes.

So, following a Kinnear-Hughton combo of near disastrous consequences, Al is now ready take the reigns. Having honed his managerial skills via the Match of the Day studio, various golf courses, gala dinners and beach holidays, Shearer must now believe he possesses the necessary capabilities to steer a team away from what would be a near apocalyptic relegation.

Having declined the offer previously, what has made Shearer accept this time around? Not including the £100,000 per match?

Desperation. From all parties. Ashley, the fans and Shearer. He knows he could not shy away from the club in its hour of need. Despite his inexperience he is the only man capable of taking on the position at this time. The only man able to galvanise and unite when it matters most.

But could Shearer really not have stepped into the breach before this? Rode with the wind and seen how it went? Would Newcastle have been in any worse a position now had he taken over at any point before?

Old sparring partner Roy Keane wasn't afraid to have a go just down the road at Sunderland. Shearer's foe Ruud Gullit walked straight into management at Chelsea and led them to an FA Cup. The list is endless.

Yet with all the timing of a back post arrival, Shearer appears right on cue. White Horse moored in his parking bay. He knows even relegation would not tarnish his reputation.

Worse case, they go down and he starts afresh from the haven of the Championship.

If they stay up, he's even more reveered in those parts, giving him the power to dictate the club from top to bottom, on his terms, and more than likely, with a healthy transfer budget.

Either way, Shearer - the messiah - has managed to engineer himself another win-win situation where the sun always shines around Shearer Towers

If he can calculate tactics and substitutions as methodically as he has his career path, Newcastle are in safe hands.

Gerrard's left-centre stance means Beckham on the bench

It was good to see Steven Gerrard put a good shift in on the left wing on Saturday, albeit against a very ordinary Slovakian outfit.

For years now the left midfield slot has been a problem. Anderton, McManaman, Barmby, Guppy, Downing even Tim Sherwood have had a go, amongst a catalogue of other temporary occupants.

No solution had been adequately found or addressed - barring a decent Joe Cole spell - and was looking to stay that way in the absence of a decent left winger and a crocked Cole.

However, Gerrard, in glimpses against the Slovaks, showed not only does he have the undoubted ability, but most importantly, an intelligence and savvy to operate from the left.

The notion that Gerrard performs best as part of a midfield two has been erradicated by his performances for Liverpool this term in a more advanced midfield role, not to mention his largely non-descript showings when playing centrally for England over the past few years.

The David Pleat's and other numb-nutted dinosaurs of our punditry brethren may fret that he's not left footed, but that matters not.

That old school view went out of the window with Ronaldinho jinking in on his right peg, Cristiano Ronaldo cutting in off the left, Leo Messi zipping inbetween defenders from the right.

In is the new out. Gerrard has enough about him to do the same, a move which can see him operate with a freedom which could best suit his and the team, especially if he can forge a bond with Rooney.

With plenty in stock to fill two central midfield berths, our eyes move to the right, and the ponderance of a particular Spice Girl's other half.

David Beckham will be the victim of Gerrards leftfield success. Don Fabio recognises the need for balance and equilibrium in midfield - which with Stevie G's infield meanders - means pace and width down the right.

None of which boxes Beckham ticks.

Capello's club mentality dictates that selection is based on form, fitness and for the benefit of team cohesion.

England with Beckham and Gerrard risk becoming too narrow, therefore condensing play and struggling to get behind oposition backlines.

A Walcott, Wright-Phillips or Lennon is needed. Not because they are better than Beckham, but because the team is better without Beckham.

There is no doubt Beckham is an asset to the England squad and therefore should be selected. At 33 he is supremely fit. His range of passing, crossing and set-plays remain exemplary and he is now playing a standard of football which allows international selection.

All of which seems harsh to leave him resigned to cameo's, but the broader vision of Capello to select for the good of the team must be applauded.

This broader vision must too be accepted by the players. Previous regime's saw the golden boys monopolise their favourite positions - to no advantage for the cause.

The acceptance of Gerrard and Beckham to fill roles for the benefit of the team, may finally harness some success from the last ashes of the 'Golden generation'.