FIFA boffins reckon David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron were 'outstanding' at the World Cup.
Crocked Becks and flop Veron were widely regarded to have been well below par on the world's biggest stage.
But FIFA's technical studies group say the Manchester United midfield duo were success stories last summer.
Argentina skipper Veron was substituted at half-time in his side's 1-0 Group of Death defeat by England before the pre-tournament favourites crashed out in the first round.
And despite scoring the winner from the penalty spot against Argentina, Beckham struggled for fitness as he recovered from a broken foot.
But FIFA's so-called experts rated Becks one of six outstanding England players. The analysis on England, published this week, accepts he was not fully fit.
But it said: "Beckham frequently switched his position, sometimes playing in the middle or even out wide on the left.
"In doing so he got away from his opposite number and was almost always in a good position to receive a pass. Almost all
the set-pieces were taken by Beckham.Wide midfielders Beckham and Sinclair often took up more central positions to close down space and slow down opponents' attacks."
Liverpool's Michael Owen was also singled out for praise, having 'fine movement, creativity and a predatory instinct in front of goal'.
In analysing the weakness of Sven Goran Eriksson's squad the report says England 'lacked creativity in attack except for Michael Owen'.
The other players highlighted for their contribution to the England cause were 'outstanding' central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell as well as United midfield pair Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
England's strengths were judged as being 'a compact team, excellent heading, counter-attacking play, set-pieces, and match-winning players'.
Their weaknesses were 'key players not fully fit and vulnerable to swift counter-attacks'.
Blackburn's Damien Duff was singled out as the Republic of Ireland's most valuable player.
Crocked Becks and flop Veron were widely regarded to have been well below par on the world's biggest stage.
But FIFA's technical studies group say the Manchester United midfield duo were success stories last summer.
Argentina skipper Veron was substituted at half-time in his side's 1-0 Group of Death defeat by England before the pre-tournament favourites crashed out in the first round.
And despite scoring the winner from the penalty spot against Argentina, Beckham struggled for fitness as he recovered from a broken foot.
But FIFA's so-called experts rated Becks one of six outstanding England players. The analysis on England, published this week, accepts he was not fully fit.
But it said: "Beckham frequently switched his position, sometimes playing in the middle or even out wide on the left.
"In doing so he got away from his opposite number and was almost always in a good position to receive a pass. Almost all
the set-pieces were taken by Beckham.Wide midfielders Beckham and Sinclair often took up more central positions to close down space and slow down opponents' attacks."
Liverpool's Michael Owen was also singled out for praise, having 'fine movement, creativity and a predatory instinct in front of goal'.
In analysing the weakness of Sven Goran Eriksson's squad the report says England 'lacked creativity in attack except for Michael Owen'.
The other players highlighted for their contribution to the England cause were 'outstanding' central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell as well as United midfield pair Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
England's strengths were judged as being 'a compact team, excellent heading, counter-attacking play, set-pieces, and match-winning players'.
Their weaknesses were 'key players not fully fit and vulnerable to swift counter-attacks'.
Blackburn's Damien Duff was singled out as the Republic of Ireland's most valuable player.
</strong><hr></blockquote>What Cheeky said.