By Andrew Rogers

I have the notable privilege of contributing to the English press on soccer or should I say football coverage so I must be careful in expressing my opinion on the recent analysis of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s recent friendly against FC Dallas.  While the media contribution to the English game is fundamental, there is a growing dissatisfaction among many fans at its lack of insight when it comes to the game outside of Great Britain.

Alan Hansen, England’s most influential pundit, argued earlier in the week that David Beckham was not ready for an England re-call because he “saw a game from the league last week” and Hansen deduced from the friendly that, for Beckham, it would be, “Far better to have a game that is fast and furious, and in that respect the English and American leagues are light years apart. Football in America is about 100 times' slower.”

Ok so watching a friendly, Hansen concludes Beckham cannot play international football and because of the pace of a MLS friendly, he is ill suited to the international environment…..er er er er ok. MLS is played at a slower pace because of climate, emphasis on possession, and type of player the culture produces.

World Cup football is played at a slower pace and is possession based because of the heat and level of skill, which is why England struggle. As this column has consistently maintained over the last 2 years, Premiership football does not equate to the international arena.

By 2010 Beckham will be fully honed and skilled in summer football and like in 2006 could be a huge asset to the set up. Go on Becks time to prove your detractors wrong once again with MLS written large and catch up with your old pal Nelson Mandela.

Andrew Rogers can be reached at andrew.rogers@amrmedia.co.uk