Ahead of the World Cup in South Africa people were talking about Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney being the player to help England lift the trophy.
Now after two below-par performances some fans and pundits are talking about dropping the striker.
Awful
He has looked awful in England’s first two group games. His touch has been off, he’s not as lively as usual and he doesn’t seem his energetic self.
Could it be that he hasn’t completely recovery from the injury he picked up towards the end of last season?
There is something not right with the former-Everton man. He certainly doesn’t look like the same Wayne Rooney who was on-fire with the Red Devils last season. He’s appeared frustrated and forlorn in his last two appearances.
Criticism
After the Algeria draw he criticised his own fans for booing. It was a heat of the moment comment coming out of frustration. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he couldn’t help lashing out at somebody and that somebody happened to be the England fans.
His reaction was wrong. It was a petulant act but it shows that he cares. If he didn’t care he wouldn’t have even reacted to the fans booing. He later issued an apology. He was obviously advised to apologise by the FA but nevertheless he apologised.
It’s strange that people have almost forgiven him and are now more worried about what has happened to his form and his first touch. If he scores against the Slovenians and helps England through, he will have won most England fans over.
Talent
Wayne Rooney proved last season with Manchester United that he is right up there with the top players in the world. Some in the English media were even saying that Rooney was as good as Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. I wouldn’t go as far as that but last season Rooney really did mature into the complete player.
He has even managed to control that famous temper without losing his will to win with United. He is still a top player but something needs to happen to ignite his game. He hasn’t lost his talent and skill overnight.
He is still the player who could help England win the World Cup. He is the most talented player in the England side. And as John Terry said he is one of the few players in the English team capable of breaking down opposition defences.
Teammates
He wasn’t the only England player to have had two bad games; most of the England team have been poor in the last two matches. The player I have been most disappointed by so far is Chelsea’s Frank Lampard.
He is one of the best goal scoring midfielders in Europe, yet he turns up at World Cup’s and suddenly can’t hit his head with his only hand. He had a poor World Cup in Germany and this one hasn’t been much better for the Chelsea star.
Then there is captain Steven Gerrard, who I don’t think remembers that England play in White. Somebody needs to tell him because it seems every time he has the ball he gives it away. Is Fabio Capello going to drop these crucial players as well? These are also seen as match winners but I don’t think they are as vital as Rooney.
Unlikely
Fabio Capello is unlikely to drop the Manchester United striker, as he knows that Rooney has the capability of producing a vital piece of magic that could get England into the knockout stages.
If I was England boss I would never dream of dropping a player of Wayne Rooney’s talent. I still believe in Rooney and if England does scrape into the knockout stages and beyond then Rooney will have produced a crucial performance at some stage. Will the real Wayne Rooney please stand up?
David, ur seriously asking us this? Rooney’s pretty much England’s only hope of getting to the final, without getting killed in the PK Corral shootouts.
Well Brad, some pundits in the Uk have suggested it. Like I said in my article though I would never dream of dropping Rooney!
Instead of booing, why dont the English try encouraging? Booing is not going to help their team.
it never does. remember when they yelled “I hope ur kid dies of cancer!” at Beckham in 2000/2001? and look at what he did. not helpful.
hope the real Rooney comes out and produces some kind of magic
i believe rooney can produce th@ same magic he did for united this past season,of course the whole team is stuttering and cant seem to get their bearings but once rooney gets fired up we will see wonders.though i dont want england to proceed i just want a gud perfomance from rooney.
okay if rooney were to be dropped who in the england set up could dream of(@ this moment) taking his place and say i have the skill and drive to replace rooney…mmmm guess noone can answer th@,this is sumthang not worth discussing its even crazy to suggest dropping rooney its…plain lunacy.there now lets talk more sense n less feeling
well, there has been speculation among some people like David th@ he might not be fully recovered from his injuries back in, when was it, March/April.
yep injury is the only reason i think he could be playing within himself @ the moment.
I think my Rooney has not been allowed to play from his usual role which is the point man.The passes has not been going through, the way he wanted it.So all these things can frustrate a player on the pich of play.
Then what good is he is his own teammates cant make a pass to him. Strikers like Rooney cant get every ball by themselves, no matter how hard-working they are.
Well after watching that dire performance tonight yes he should be dropped as should all of them, they need a complete new squad now, and as for the fans booing them i think it was fair enough, some of these people saved for months and spent thousands of pounds to go and watch us draw with algeria, if wayne rooney payed two million pounds to go and watch a play and the actor forgot his lines i think he would be boo and be angry that people were not performing.
im sorry david…i know how long it take to over haul a web site and its format……but not enjoyin this new set up,ive givin it time its just doesnt feel right…..i regret to say it but think im goona havta find a new site…been a blast really has
Sorry to hear that. Thank you for your interest in Soccernews and I hope you decide to visit again soon.
rooney is d best player englang has he just had some bad games in d world cup because everyone is depending on him alone to score which he did not dat is why england is out
David, soccernews’ new format is alright, I’ll give yall that, but it has a more mechanical (Idk, that’s how i can describe it) feel to it. the original format made me feel like i was on a football pitch.
I second that Brad! That green pitch layout was awesome.
Hi guys, first of all I don’t actually have a say on the layout of the site. I am just a humble writer. Although I do really like the new layout.
I like the new layout as well but I understand that people will be uncomfortable with change.
The updates are still great and David and I will still write the same old rubbish!!
Sorry David, I should speak for myself!
well, I can get used to the new layout. it’ll just take a bit of time.
No Graham, I think you definately speak for both of us on that one!
He did.
I know Brad, I was just giving my approval to his comment, that’s all!
haha…that was funny.
I do like the new layout as well…looks more modern and professional but I like Brad’s word of choice to describe the feel…the original screamed football whereas this layout does not. However, it’s a minor concern cuz the readings are well worth the time I spend here.
Keep up the good work Dave & Graham.
yeah, yall’ve done very good!
One bad tournament and everyone’s ready to slaughter Wazza. People seem to forget that he had iinjury problems towards the end of last season due to over reliance from S.A.F
not to mention that over reliance really tired him out. but imagine playing all those matches in the heat around my area. . . I nearly fainted during one game not long ago.