Is Becks Back in Time to Save Steve?

Filed in archive England on June 3, 2007

Seems McClaren's decision to recall David Beckham was the right one, if the right midfielder's impressive performance and floaty free kick (above) are anything to go by. But is it going to be enough to save the England manager's job? We'll find out on Wednesday when England take on the mighty Estonia.

McClaren could do himself a few favours by making some more tough, common sense decisions.

First up he needs to realize that Michael Owen isn't the man he used to be, not yet at least. But given Alan Smith's woeful performance against Brazil, he might be the best we've got. A great decision would be to go with Peter Crouch over Smith and give Owen a fighting chance. Owen can push on the last Estonian defender and Crouch can come deep and do some link play, as well as winning the obligatory balls in the air.

Second, McClaren would win a lot of friends if bit the bullet and benched Frank Lampard. Not because Lampard's doing anything wrong - he had an OKish game againts Brazil - but because Gerrard needs to play alongside a midfielder who will stay and hold, maybe Michael Carrick could do that against Estonia until Owen Hargreaves comes back.