Shades of Nixon

Win or else you Swedish cocksman

Hargreaves gets prime ministerial backing

13 minutes ago

LONDON (Reuters) - Owen Hargreaves got the prime ministerial backing of
Tony Blair on Monday on the eve of Tuesday's World Cup Group B match against Sweden.

Hargreaves is expected to play the holding midfield role against the Swedes in place of Stephen Gerrard, who looks set to be rested as he is only one match away from suspension.

While Hargreaves has yet to win the hearts of many England fans, Blair said he should be given an opportunity.

"We've got to give him a chance and he hasn't actually started and played a full game," Blair told soccer fans on BBC Radio 5 Live. "He's got a good record as a player for Bayern Munich."

"Let's judge him on what he actually does tomorrow if he's playing against Sweden ... You don't play for Bayern Munich and not be a good footballer."

Blair, who co-hosted the radio phone-in, also said he would ideally favour playing Gerrard and fellow midfielder Frank Lampard together -- even though some critics say they are too similar and do not play well together.

"You've got two world class players in Gerrard and Lampard ... but both of them are attacking midfielders who like to go out and score goals, but if I was looking at it, how can you drop either of those two people?" Blair said.

The prime minister, evidently reluctant to leave anyone out of his World Cup first team, said David Beckham was indispensable.

"I don't thing you can drop him," he said. "As a crosser of the ball he's better than anyone else in the world probably, and I also think he gives the team something as captain."

Personally I like Gerrard better, but that's me.

In 1968, Nixon cornered Hunter Thompson and talked about football. He even once sent a play down to Don Shula.