Steve McClaren believes dropping David Beckham jolted
him back into top form.
Beckham's performances in the friendly against Brazil last week and
Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia have led to claims that he
should not have been left out by McClaren in the first place.
But the England manager, who left Beckham out of his first squad
and only brought him back after a run of good displays for Real
Madrid, does not regret his decision.
"I wouldn't change the decision, I felt it was correct at the time
for everybody, the squad and the team," he said.
"I wouldn't change my decision to bring him back either. I felt it
was the right time, and if he had been fit for Andorra and Israel
it might have been earlier - in October he wasn't in the Real
Madrid side.
"I just know that what we are seeing now is David Beckham the
player that everybody knows."
McClaren insists it came as no surprise to him to see Beckham
respond strongly and earn back his place.
Asked why it had taken a shock to the system for Beckham to
respond, McClaren said: "Believe you me it doesn't matter whether
you have the best talent in the world or the lowest talent in the
world, in all walks of life, in business or in sport, it just
becomes more evident and more plain in sport.
"It has taken a shock, both individually and as a team, to change
things and that is what has happened.
"David has reacted exactly as I thought he would when that decision
was made, he's taken a conscious effort and since the new year he
has looked fitter and stronger."
Source: Sky Sports
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=471078&CPID=219&clid=114&lid=2&title=Mac:+I+was+right+to+drop+Becks&channel=football_home&
This old man is bloody annoying. Now he's trying to give himself
credit. And he claimed that he proved himself by beating Estonia
the other day but really, Estonia is EASY. What a whole bull of
crap. 
