McClaren: Becks loves LA
update - Audio of the LA Galaxy v Minnesota Thunder game is available here.
HT Score: Galaxy lead 1-0 with a goal from Buddle assisted by David Beckham.
Update - David Beckham and the LA Galaxy have arrived in Minnesota ahead of tomorrow's game. Details and video online here and also here. Becks stopped and signed autographs for fans even though he wasn't expected too so that was nice!The Telegraph has a good article in which Steve McClaren, England Manager, explains his visit to LA to see David Beckham and his decision to recall him into the England squad. Here are some quotes -
"I had read a couple of things about him not enjoying the life and the experience. I could not find that to be further from the truth. He is enthusiastic. He loves it. He's settled. The kids are at great schools. He's got a great lifestyle and, if you know Becks well, he likes proving people wrong."
"He's got a lot to prove over there and in fact he was disappointed being injured in his first season so he's looking forward"
"He can't be match fit, but we can get him match fit. I have said to him, 'We will see how you are, we can't guarantee you a place in the team or on the bench. How you do will depend how we go."
"He is training with his club. They had an exhibition match on Wednesday and they play on Sunday, so they are training for that and he is doing extra work. He knows he needs to be fitter, especially after the Germany game [he came back to play in the 2-1 defeat on August 22] so he is under no illusions."
"David is different in that these are big games and he is a big game player and when you are coming to play Croatia needing a result there is nothing better than having David Beckham available to you. He has proved that. He has done it before and he can do it again."
David Beckham lends a hand
David Beckham's autographed hand-print is available in a book of celebrity hand-prints, that is currently being sold to raise money for Children in Need and also the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. The hand-print was originally created in Madrid in 2005 and is available as a limited print and for the first time will also be available in a book from December 1st. All the details are online here. Click on the image at left to view a larger version.There is a good article from The BBC with quotes from Ruud Gullit's first press conference as the new LA Galaxy coach. He was very supportive of David Beckham's continued international career. It was nice to hear a clear and positive message instead of vague, rambling comments about the "needs of the business." So far so good!
There is also a good write-up about some of the changes in culture that Gullit's arrival might signal, online here. My favorite quote from yesterday did not deal specifically with David Beckham or come from Ruud Gullit but it was hugely encouraging! LA Galaxy player, Mike Randolph spoke to reporters after practice and an initial brief meeting with Gullit and said, "He's definitely different than Frank... Frank was all about playing and having fun and getting your fitness playing. I think we're going to be doing a lot more running. I don't like to get fit that way, but oh well." Perhaps when Randolph and others experience the difference being really fit can make to their form they won't mind running so much :)
posted by rpm at 3:13 AM
19 Comments:
Agreed Anna! Training can't just be fun some work has to be put into fitness and conditioning. I watched several l.a.g matches where I really thought the players looked like they ran out of steam. Unacceptable for professional players! Although I'm not a huge Capello fan it was obvious that the emphasis on training and greater fitness he bought to RM really helped :-)
5:05 AM
I was feeling a bit skeptical about Gullit in terms of credentials but if he is going to focus more on the fundamentals and basics then he could be good. I'll definitely be keeoing an open mind and hoping for the best. I'd like to see the lad playing with a successful team who play cohesive footie or soccer rather...so I really hope he can make that difference.
6:39 AM
The fact that David Beckham is wearing Galaxy warm-ups in this kind of presentation, instead of a suit, says everything to me. Confirmed by the kind of statements a coach-in-control makes, so that THE PLAYER DOESN'T HAVE TO! Definitely a relief to hear the clear statements, Anna, and that the coach is making them ;-))) .
I felt the same when I read Gullit's comment, basically that although his experience will be put to good use in working with other players, Beckham won't be personally treated any differently than anyone else on the team. Lalas and Yallop and even Becks could say that daily, but it will definitely be accepted from someone with Gullit's profile. I think Becks may finally be protected enough to get on with it on the pitch over here.
(Can you imagine a coach with any power permitting MLS to allow the media to set up on the sideline and put a million cameras down the bench's throats just before a match? Sorry, I've never recovered from that image--or that it was blamed on "Becks' circus" rather than the one misguidedly brought in by his new league. Finally a glimmer of hope that there will be more controls put on that kind of thing!)
7:06 AM
Oops, commented before I read the change of culture article: "a coach who will be...the most important guy in the locker room" Exactly! Which means Becks can play--in a culture, if as described, that will fit him to a T.
Now if the technical, tactical, and results look as good as the new outlook sounds for Becks, we'll be getting somewhere. Trying to keep an open mind on that side too.
7:21 AM
im happy to see that the new coach is not forcing david to speak at the press confrences, but i found it a little weird that he doesnt want to.
also in the pictures david looks a little down and is not smiling in many of them.
By the way thnaks for all the new updates i appreciate it knowing you are busy with the christmas cards
7:27 AM
Snap Julie! I was thinking of Capello too when I wrote about how encouraging I found the comment about "running" lol poor Randolph I can sympathise but ultimately Becks had coaches/managers at Real that did not place enough emphasis on fitness and we all saw the consequences so I like the idea of tougher team practices. Especially as fair or not Becks is going to be judged as or even more harshly than anyone based on how the team performs.
Agree with you Auntie D and also I just think Gullit's background as a star player in Europe will equip him with the ability to understand Becks position and to appreciate you can be a big name but still first and foremost love the sport, want to play and live largely in the eye of the hurricane because on a smaller scale he's been there.
7:28 AM
Sorry Melissa I didn't see your comment :) You're welcome I wish I had time to do more.
I don't think it's surprising he didn't want to be at the press conference. If he had gone there would have been more questions to him than to the new coach lol! He wants to be part of the team first and foremost and the team wasn't there, they didn't attend. It was the sensitive and classy thing to do :) Also lol he's just done a presser and no doubt will do one in Minneapolis - it was Ruud and Cobi's day :)
I may have missed some photos but of the ones on here from yesterday he looks perfectly happy posing with Gullit, Cobi and Landon - and unhappy in the Vancouver Airport pics but they were taken by papz and maybe he wished they'd go away :)
7:50 AM
thanks for replying i see what you mean about the paps
8:04 AM
More fitness work and stamina can only be good! That can give you that extra half a second to decide where to pass and also increases contol when you are puffing it effects your first touch. I know from my own attempts at playing (badly)
8:13 AM
Anna, that was quite poetic, the eye of the hurricane bit. Well said. I agree about the press conference, very pleased he didn't attend -- wasn't his, another symbol that he will not have to be the whole "face" of the team anymore. Cobi is also a wonderful spokesperson, and with Donovan (if he stays) articulate on his better days, that will be even more spread around.
10:24 AM
Ciao! Anne us to agree with you .. he preferred to leave all the attention on Gullit.Gullit will certainly admired the attitude of Becks.Loredana, Samuel, Gabriel
12:22 PM
The guys will benefit from the increased fitness a truly Euro style creates (and I think even the hardened EPL players in MLS have been allowed to soften a bit...), but with luck they'll also gain confidence. I don't think Yallop was as hands-on and provided as much guidance as I imagine Gullit will; it's definitely apples and oranges. A result of that + injuries = a total lack of cohesion. They need to sync up and work on precision and one-touch football and they'll be good to go. Not to mention when they are used to Becks in the middle crossing the ball where it needs to go when it needs to go there, pacing play and helping them do what they're there to do, the Galaxy ought to be an impressive team. I'm pleased with the choice of Gullit and Cobi's appointment is awesome. Now if Lalas can keep his mouth shut and let them get on with their work, all will be well. ;)
3:54 PM
I agree with you Dina a 100% .....I finally read the article about our new "manager Gullit" ....and in a word ....WOW...Can you imagine a "fit" LA GALAXY team...Hopefully he'll start his new "philosophy" after the Exhibition Game in MN...that's approximately what 2 - 3wks until ....Austrialia and New Zealand....Becks' will be back from "clinching Englands' Euro 2008 bid " (fingers cross'd) by then....I the admitted "worrier" am even hopefull that w/positive change in LA and the prospect of going back to England to 'train/play' in the EPL Becks' will look "happier" once he's around family/friends & Man U.
Can't Wait till O8'
Robbi
(almost optimistic)
4:51 PM
Just a thought Anna but I've noticed the last couple of times he has been recalled by England he goes into press silence mode. I wonder if he has some agreement with McClaren that he won't speak to press at all until after the last of the games hes called up to play each time hes named?
5:19 PM
I think Gullit will be good coach
11:22 PM
Good Sunday to everybody! We are sure that MacClaren use immediately David (previously had the intelligence not to exclude the team in 2006 today England should not expect the result between Israel and Russia). Happy for him and his family they are excited about living in LA, we miss him in Europe, but fortunately there is Anne fans who keep us informed, always Thanks ... Anne .Loredana,Samuele,Gabriel
12:23 AM
cool hes finally here and today I'm going to get to see him play!!! Yippeeeeeeeeeeee :0))))
7:19 AM
Becks would have to have a fair bit on his mind right now, and needs a lot of focus to get match fit. The nagging ankle can't be making him happy, the two matches on plastic turf this week might be a concern, and both of his teams have lost big games recently -- one of which he wasn't fit to play in (England) and one which he wasn't fit enough to make the impact he would have liked (Galaxy final). He's always said how much he hates to lose, and none of the England players will be very happy about having their Euro qualification out of their hands.
Press: we're so used to the years when Becks was England Captain and therefore spokesperson. The rest of the team has never spoken to the press much before matches, and he is now one of the rest of the team.
Plus, he's always said he likes to prove his points on the pitch, and usually keeps his head down more when unable to play. I think fitness is the key to everything at this point. (Accompanied by a major stroke of luck for England next weekend!).
8:07 AM
ugh! 1-1 going to pk.
6:05 PM
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