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Not sure why it's funny, or as big a surprise as the press are making out. It is of course a shame for him from a sentimental point of view, he was a huge influence in GB getting the Olympics in the first place, but as Phil McNulty wrote on the BBC website, if that were enough to get him a place in the squad, Seb Coe would be in the Athletics squad.

I don't watch MLS, so not sure what Beckham's form has been like, so can't comment on whether or not he'd deserve a place on merit. I'm a bit surprised Richards has made the squad as I would've thought his attitude towards the Euro squad would lead to him being left out for a while.

Bellamy and Giggs are both good shouts though - still playing well week-in-week-out at the highest level.

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Think a few people might have to rethink their earlier comments now.

Wrong decision for me.

Stuart Pearce taking it way too seriously. A combined British Isles football team of U23's is a complete sideshow. Does anyone really care whether we win or not? Not that we would anyway. The football tournament is just a bit of fun while the Olympics is on and Beckham was part of the package to add a bit more interest to it.

Pearce has always struck me as being a bit of a simpleton and putting him in charge of that team was like putting the div-kid in charge of the dinner queue at school. Nobody is really too bothered about the job but it'll make him feel special and it's a nice reward for being a bit of tryer. He looks a tit now for taking it seriously, it's a bit like that episode of the Office where Gareth get's asked to find out who photoshopped the picture of Brent and he sets himself up as an office detective.

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I'm not quite sure what is so funny?

Although he's not one of the best over-23 players, I think it's a shame he's not in the squad. I think it would have been a nice way for him to end his international career. He has given quite a bit to the country over the years, and letting him bow out in a tournament that isn't particularly important would have been quite a nice touch in my opinion. Oh well.

Giggs I agree with. Bellamy too. But Micah Richards? Someone who apparently rejected being on the standby list for the Euros? No thanks.

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Thats hilarious, made my day reading that, I am easily amused, does David Beckham deserve to be in the team just on the fact he helped London win the bid for the games, answer is no, could he offer something to the squad, yes, Beckham alone can get arses on seats.

It is a shame Beckham did not make the cut, in his last games for England he could get the crowd going by coming off the bench, I think Beckham could have offered something different to the GB Squad and would have been good to see him one last time, personally I would have liked to have seen Paul Scholes have something to do with Team GB, but Giggs and Bellamy is a good call for me...

As for supporting the team, I am an England fan first and have a soft spot for Northern Ireland, I could not give a toss about Wales and Scotland, so therefore am not too greatly bothered about GB, I will watch the games, but more for the novelty value and the fact we will probably never see another Team GB football in future Olympics, I hope Stuart Pearce does well, but i am not going to get too upset if they lose

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couldnt give two shiny shits bout him not being picked, if we are genuinly competing then we do it properly, if people being picked on merits he doesnt deserve it. and isnt te olympics bout teams etc not just about beckham. also i belive beckham probably got more england caps than he deserved like some players currently and before anyway. plus dnt give me crap about freekicks he needs about ten to score one, we only remember when he scores not when he misses. sick of the beckham circus.

Why should Pearce not pick the best team possible? Maybe he actually wants to win a gold medal

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@George_S96

Well obviously he wants to win a gold medal. But are we any more likely to win with Micah Richards in the squad instead of Beckham? We have a few decent young RB's. As I said earlier, it would have been a nice touch. It's not like the olympics are an important football tournament. It seems to me like Pearce has wanted to show that he's capable of making big controversial calls if need be. A bit like when he handed Parker the captaincy.

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Just cause its would be a nice touch it dosent mean that he should be in the squad. Micah Richards is the best young right back we have in the country so why not pick him? I know olympics footy isent important but if you have the chance to get an olympic gold medal is dosent matter what event everyone would try their hardest to get it

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@George_S96

Kyle Walker is a better right back in my opinion. Plus he's under 23, so doesn't take up one of the over 23 places. Again, are we more likely to win the olympics with Richards instead of Beckham? No. No we aren't.

And anyway, I think it would have shown a bit of class to put Beckham in the squad. A thankyou for the work he put in. He'd still do a job. I'd much rather we had Beckham in there than reward somebody who preferred to go on holiday than be on the standby list for his country at a major tournament.

I can fully understand the footballing reasons for not selecting Beckham though. But we'd have the same chance of winning the olympics with or without him , so I personally would have gone with him.

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If Pearce wants to win then he will pick the best team he can. He wants to win so instead of picking someone because they are a big celebrity he decided to choose better players

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@George_S96

You seem to be unable of listening.

Nobody wants Beckham in the squad because he is a celebrity, people want him in the squad because it would be a nice way for him to close out his international career after some very good service on the pitch and extending his service after it was clear his international career was over.

Plus he could still do a reasonable job and would not be a hindrance to our ability to win matches.

Contrasts David Beckham's contribution with Micah Richards. Beckham has given a lot, whereas Richards, who is not even fully established at club level, decided he was too good to be considered as a backup for his country. Beckham deserves to be in the squad much more than Richards.

Ps. Walker > Richards

Aww wouldn't it be nice for Beckham to be in the squad. What a nice way to end his career.

It's not as if Beckham needs the recognition. I'm sure he'll manage fine with his millions in the bank, his plentiful sponsorship deals and countless adoring fans around the world.

I really don't think he'll be overly fussed about trotting around the pitch with a load of kids in some mickey mouse competition that really shouldn't be part of the Olympics.

This whole debate has been blown out proportion by a bunch of sentimental types.

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I wouldn't put Beckham in just because it would be a nice recognition for his work.
I would out him in because he's better than Micah Richards though.

I actually think he'll be gutted. In interviews he always comes across as somebody who loves representing his country. I don't think he's secretly a great actor, so I'm willing to believe that he does genuinely love playing internationals. Compare that to someone like Micah Richards....

Anyway, Beckham has always split opinion. I think we wouldn't have been any weaker if Beckham was in the squad instead of Richards, plus as an added bonus it would have been a nice touch. Others think he shouldn't be anywhere near the team. And Pearce is one of those evidently. And that is all that matters.

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But Pearce dosent want people in the squad because it would be a nice way to end his career he wants people in the squad which will win him and them a gold medal. Why would you pick a player when there is another player who is better?

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@George_S96

Are you actually bothering to read my posts? I'll repeat: I don't think we'd be any weaker with Beckham in the squad instead of Richards.

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Im not talking about Richards. Im saying there are better players than Beckham which can be called up

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@George_S96

But I think we'd be just as good with Beckham in the squad instead of someone who made the squad, so the point you've made is not relevant to what I'm saying.

Anyway, I can't be bothered with this anymore. I think it would have been good to have him in the squad for the reasons I've already said. I understand some don't. That;s the way it has always been with Beckham

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Beckham shouldnt be in the squad for anything except from footballing reasons. I dont care who he is or what he has done if theres better players then they should be in the sqaud ahead of Beckham

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@George_S96

I agree. I just don't think Richards is better.

It depends how you're comparing them though. Both play in different positions and contribute in different manners to the team.

I think it's very harsh to say Beckham is better than Richards because they are completely different players.

If Pearce thinks the defence needs strengthening, then it makes more sense to pick Richards.

But if Pearce thinks the midfield is a weak area, then it makes more sense to pick Beckham.

So in picking Richards, we're getting an insight into where Pearce thinks the strengths and weaknesses of the team are.

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how can you seriously compare them when one is a winger and the other is a right back? Richards is a briliant player and was in a title winning team last season!

Easily.
It's not like it's a like for like replacement, they just both fill up an age requirement.
Personally I would rather have that extra experience in the middle of the field, especially when it comes to dead ball situations.
It's in no way a slight on Richards.

Richards is not a 'brilliant player'. He's above average, but he's positionally a little naive. He often struggles to last the 90 minutes because he tires himself out bombing up and down the line. He didn't feature a great deal during City's title run-in because Zabaleta is better.

Beckham is no longer a brilliant player either, but as a learning experience for the young players in the squad, he'd offer a huge amount. The likes of Ramsey and Cleverley could learn a lot from him on and off the pitch. They certainly won't get that from Richards. It all comes down to whether Pearce sees this as a competition that we're trying to win, or whether it is a PR exercise coupled with a great experience for the players that go. He's gone with the former, which is fair enough.

Overall I think the squad looks strong, and should certainly compete.

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Richards is better than 'above average' in my opinion. he's the best RB england have (my opinion)

i think players like ramsey and cleverley can learn from giggs. who is a better player than beckham. again, my opinion