There is no doubting David Beckham has had a good season at Real Madrid - but there is also no doubting that Steve McClaren has only picked him because he's trying to hang on to his job. Why he has left out Gareth Barry amazes me, though.

I always had our previous manager down as the No.1 footballing muppet but for now that esteemed position has been inherited by McClaren. He really is a muppet for leaving Barry out! The Aston Villa player put in a solid performance in the 'B' game which deserved more. I'm not his biggest fan but  towards the end of the season he was without a doubt our best player.

McClaren also didn't pick David James, who for me had a great season in goal for Portsmouth. I can only assume that's because James has ridiculed second-choice McClaren publicly. James and Barry deserve to be in this squad; it just goes to show how inept the manager is.

He's also gone and picked Michael Owen, which smacks of the old-boy network. What has Owen done this season to warrant an automatic recall? Still, I doubt McClaren will be in the job much longer because he is a waste of space. How can he justify giving someone a try in three different positions in two matches? It just doesn't make sense.

When you get in, you are very much in and McClaren is milking it for all it's worth. He's been told by enough people to ignore what is written about him but surely his skin isn't so thick that he doesn't realise he's not wanted, regardless of what 'people in the game' may say to his face?

Maybe he doesn't think Barry has enough confidence to be in the squad. It's a reason but it's not a valid one as it's what happens on the pitch and Barry deserves a shout over some of the players picked. Here is the squad:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Scott Carson (Liverpool), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Ledley King (Tottenham), Nicky Shorey (Reading).

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), David Bentley (Blackburn), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stuart Downing (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Alan Smith (Man Utd), Jermaine Defoe (Tottenham).