In yesterday's paper we asked you if Glenn Hoddle was right or wrong to drop Paul Gascoigne. The response varied from four letter words and four word letters to long rants and three-page rational assessments. The upshot of the poll was that 55% backed Glenn Hoddle, while 45% thought he had gone stark staring mad. We can only publish a selection of the views expressed here, as we received thousands of words from you, but as many as we can cope with will appear on the web site at www.football365.co.uk so keep writing to us at poll@football365.co.uk to let us know what you think. Below is a selection of letters from those who, however reluctantly, support Glenn Hoddle. The other column has comments those who want him to hang from the nearest lamp post. GREAT DAYS ARE LONG GONE Whatever Hoddle did would have been a gamble: keeping Gascoigne despite his age and lack of form and fitness is just as risky as depending on the young and unproven creative players in this country. But at least it's a positive move it would have been so negative to pin everything on someone whose greatest days were eight years ago. Plus, despite the lack of international experience of some of these players, plenty of them have good European experience. Can we honestly say that every country in the World Cup has a more formidable national side than the giants of European football (bearing in mind that Iran lost to AS Roma's reserve side 7-1 the other day)? So let's cut the dude some slack. Marcus Anddan A BORO FAN CROSSES HIS FINGERS I speak as a diehard Boro fan but I have to say that Gazza was largely ineffectual in the games he played for Boro at the end of the domestic season and was useless in the last three England warm-up games. My biggest fear now is that Gazza will go completely off the rails and Boro will be left with another expensive failure. Mark Huddlestone SOME DIETARY ADVICE He's past it. Grow up and stop eating kebabs you dope! Mike Clausen SHOCKED, BUT UNDERSTANDING Well yes it was a surprise to see Paul Gascoigne dropped from the team, but after a few minutes reflecting on the shock I could see why. He has been totally unable to recapture any of his former skills, his fitness level is quite abysmal and I think the downward spiral began when he went to Glasgow Rangers. In an event as intense as the World Cup, the squad cannot carry anybody who is not 100 % fit. Unfortunately if England do not do great things at the World Cup, I forsee an almost Graham Tayloresque backlash against Glenn Hoddle for axing Gascoigne, plus all of his "different" methods. Eileen Drewery faith healing springs quite readily to mind. If they win the tournament, then Glenn Hoddle should be sorting himself out a nice morning suit for his knighthood. Regards Glen Malcolm RIGHT ABOUT GAZZA BUT ROB LEE? Overall, I think that Hoddle has made the right choice in leaving Gazza at home. BUT, how the hell Lee is in ahead of Parlour I have no idea. Nick Boak LUNACY Quoting from today's main story in Football365: The axeing of Gascoigne, allied to his public unveiling of faith healer Eileen Drewery means that England must now make at least the semi-finals... or Hoddle will be branded a lunatic. The suggestion that England must reach the semi-finals to avoid humiliation is lunacy, as is the suggestion that Paul Gascoigne would have been likely to get us there. At the current time, he is simply not good enough. England's chances are more likely to be hurt by the lack of a left-back if Graeme Le Saux is injured. Matthew Brown SO SORRY I hate to say it but Hoddle was right. Ricky Wildman

NOT THE HODDLE FAN CLUB   WHAT ABOUT �SICKNOTE'? What is Hoddle on about? If it's about football and fitness, why is Darren Anderton included? He's played around 25 or so games in three years, that's hardly the largest amount coming up to the World Cup. What worries me more is the lack of quality in the middle of the park. McManaman and Beckham can spread it about all day, I accept that, but neither can go past players for fun when it matters. Beckham isn't that type of player and McManaman does so it rarely. The squad is not one to win a World Cup with. Le Saux is someone who gets booked, and there's no cover at left back. Ferdinand has done nothing this season, he just shouldn't be involved. We ain't winning this cup now, unless, Alan Shearer does something mind blowing Sacha Zarb IN THE SQUAD AT LEAST Gascoigne should have been part of the squad if only to provide a second option if our midfield of (probably) Beckham, Ince and Batty doesn't work or one of them gets suspended. What else can we try when the only creative players remaining are Paul Scholes (struggling with form in the last couple of months for United) and Paul Merson (playing well, but who can't against Man City and Port Vale)? Adrian Grace SHOULD HODDLE PLAY HIMSELF? I don't know what has gone wrong with Hoddle. The only creative player in the squad now is Glenn Hoddle himself. I am certain Gascoigne would have turned it on in the World Cup. Now, I fear a second round exit to Croatia or Argentina is very much on the cards. Knik TO THE TOWER WITH HIM Bonkers! Bonkers! Mad! And Bonkers! Hoddle is committing HIGH TREASON!!! MJ Richardson DIVINE INTERVENTION What a prat, Hoddle has lost the plot, Rob Lee in, no left back cover and he leaves out our greatest player. When the Brazil coach says he would pick Gazza for Brazil it makes you think what is Hoddle on. No doubt it was the word of God who dismays at Gazza's hedonistic lifestyle who forced Glenn's decision. Andrew Little SACK HIM NOW! Gascoigne in, Hoddle out. It can only be personal. Gascoigne brings flair and skill to the England side even when not fit. Mark D Hyland

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