John Helm: Why David Beckham’s injury a boost for England and Fabio Capello

Mar 17 2010 by John Helm, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SAD as it is on a personal level, the absence of David Beckham has just made Fabio Capello’s selection process for South Africa easier.

Goldenballs’ inclusion would have been one of the most controversial.

He’s been polarising opinion for some time, now there’s probably room in the 23-man squad for Walcott, Lennon and Wright-Phillips.

With Ashley Cole struggling to beat the deadline, Owen Hargreaves almost certainly a non-starter, and an inevitable late withdrawal (could even be Ferdinand with his persistent groin problem) the options are narrowing.

I reckon the Italian already knows as many as 20 of the men he wants on board the plane to South Africa.

The ones who still need to tick a few boxes are Joe Cole, Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott and a host of left backs, but after the sumptuous point-saving goal he scored for Manchester City at Sunderland, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Adam Johnson make a late bid.

Against his inclusion are the facts that he is uncapped and plays in a position where we seem to be well covered, but he can operate on either flank and delivers just the sort of ball Beckham might have curled in but for that untimely torn Achilles.

I have a friend who goes mad if somebody reveals the score of a match he hasn’t yet seen on the telly.

So BBC news is unwatchable for him before Match of the Day.

Every Saturday night some plonker (male or female) utters the useless, ridiculous warning ‘Look away now if you don’t want to know the results’.

In the time it takes you to put on a Balaclava or smother your head in a blanket, they read out all the Premier League results which also flash on your screen in a millisecond.

Not even Usain Bolt would be able to get out of the room at the speed of light necessary to beat: ‘Arsenal’s win in the Premier League took them level on points with Chelsea on a day when there were also wins for Manchester United, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Fulham’.

What it needs is a reference at the top of the news to say that the football results will be on your screen at 10.10pm precisely, so you know to put the kettle on at 10.09pm, or else simply ignore football for the whole of three minutes until Match Of The Day.