I think Wayne starts against Italy. Whether he plays against anyone else is dependent on his performance against Italy.
Why? He has an international goal scoring record of just less than 1 in 2 games and has scored 11 in the last 17. These are things we should be celebrating. He might not be a Messi but he is the best we have and consistent with it.
Rooney and maybe Gerrard and Ashley Cole ( should be there ) are the only 3 true top class players we have ...so does Rooney start ????? does a bear S**t in the woods ....
I think Wayne starts against Italy. Whether he plays against anyone else is dependent on his performance against Italy.
Why? He has an international goal scoring record of just less than 1 in 2 games and has scored 11 in the last 17. These are things we should be celebrating. He might not be a Messi but he is the best we have and consistent with it.
How has that translated into competitive England games? I'll wait for those stats.
Scoring 2 goals in a game against Luxembourg + in friendlies may look good for his goal scoring stats, but adds nothing to our world cup hopes.
I think Wayne starts against Italy. Whether he plays against anyone else is dependent on his performance against Italy.
Why? He has an international goal scoring record of just less than 1 in 2 games and has scored 11 in the last 17. These are things we should be celebrating. He might not be a Messi but he is the best we have and consistent with it.
How has that translated into competitive England games? I'll wait for those stats.
Scoring 2 goals in a game against Luxembourg + in friendlies may look good for his goal scoring stats, but adds nothing to our world cup hopes.
In competitive games Rooney is England's highest ever goal scorer, but he has yet to perform at a tournament other than 2004.
I think Wayne starts against Italy. Whether he plays against anyone else is dependent on his performance against Italy.
Why? He has an international goal scoring record of just less than 1 in 2 games and has scored 11 in the last 17. These are things we should be celebrating. He might not be a Messi but he is the best we have and consistent with it.
How many goals at the World Cup?
Being able to score past fireman and PE teachers is one thing, when it comes to the top level, Rooney can't hack it.
I think Wayne starts against Italy. Whether he plays against anyone else is dependent on his performance against Italy.
Why? He has an international goal scoring record of just less than 1 in 2 games and has scored 11 in the last 17. These are things we should be celebrating. He might not be a Messi but he is the best we have and consistent with it.
How many goals at the World Cup?
Being able to score past fireman and PE teachers is one thing, when it comes to the top level, Rooney can't hack it.
Correct he hasn't scored in the World Cup, but take his European Finals stats for example 5 goals from 6 games. So he can do it. I'm not a huge Rooney fan but his record is good for England and deserves a bit more praise.
30 goals in 57 competitive games for England is excellent and as good as any striker.
I think Wayne starts against Italy. Whether he plays against anyone else is dependent on his performance against Italy.
Why? He has an international goal scoring record of just less than 1 in 2 games and has scored 11 in the last 17. These are things we should be celebrating. He might not be a Messi but he is the best we have and consistent with it.
How many goals at the World Cup?
Being able to score past fireman and PE teachers is one thing, when it comes to the top level, Rooney can't hack it.
Correct he hasn't scored in the World Cup, but take his European Finals stats for example 5 goals from 6 games. So he can do it. I'm not a huge Rooney fan but his record is good for England and deserves a bit more praise.
30 goals in 57 competitive games for England is excellent and as good as any striker.
Just had a look at Messi's stats - 17 goals in 52 competitive games. So Rooney's record holds up.
Think Wilshire has been the biggest disappointment for me the last two games. He keeps running into trouble with the ball, holding onto it when a decent pass is on. He also gives the ball away in advanced positions far too much, hopefully he just needs time, although that has just run out.
Barkley is a breath of fresh air and I hope the natural talent and understanding is not altered, by coaching.
Wilshire is a talent, a few seasons back he was the current Barkley, it is a shame that now he always seems to be trying to regain his sharpness after an injury.
I think Barkley, Wilshere and Gerrard are probably our best combination of 3 in the middle, with Sterling and Lallana wide for me. Sturridge up top, which means Rooney misses out. Isn't gonna happen though.
At least he and Barkley injected some life into our play, same can't be said for Gerrard and Henderson.
I was impressed with Henderson, made some good passes and worked hard. Played a great pass to lallana who almost scored. I actually think Henderson might be the one tasked to keep tabs on pirlo, Rooney, wilshere, etc are more attacking players and I don't think Roy will blunt our attack just for pirlo.
Barkley is going to be an amazing player. Him and the ox make me feel we might have a bright future after all.
I fully expect Rooney to start as Hodgson is very cautious in his approach. It would be a very interesting scenario though if Barkley did play instead and Rooney were to come off the bench.
If Rooney's attitude were of the "Right I'll show them..." approach it could be that would be the making of him in tournament football. Alternatively he'll get sent off after 10 minutes...
Dead cert to start despite doing fuck all to deserve it. Shame we still have these auto picks although they are becoming fewer. Rooney could have missed 50 chances and got sent off last night and he would still be the first name on the team sheet.
3 utterly rubbish performances in the warm ups showing either, he is well out of form, or, he is well off full fitness but its probably both as its world cup time.
Ross Barkley could have the game of his life and still not be picked.
read the other posts re goals scored etc. PLUS he is the only genuine quality player we have PLUS we need his experience. I honestly believe that Hodgson picks his keeper, then picks Rooney, then Gerrard then fits in the rest around them. Rooney isn't indespensable, but he is quality.
Its hard to judge based on the warm up games. No one wants to get injured or tired. I'd definitely start Rooney but drop him if he doesn't perform in the first couple of games.
Lampard--Henderson Ox--Rooney--Llanala Sturridge
Its a good problem to have because you could easily put Barkley, Gerrard, Sterling, Wiltshire in that lineup and it would still be as strong. Can't remember the last time we had as much strength in depth.
Comments
Johnson Cahill Jagielka Baines
Wilshere Gerrard
Lallana Barkley Sterling
Sturridge
His goal scoring record is really good internationally
His record this season at man utd wasn't too shabby in a shit team
It wouldn't be England and tournament football if there wasn't a pre tournament scape goat
Gerard Henderson
Milner Rooney lallana
Sturridge
Scoring 2 goals in a game against Luxembourg + in friendlies may look good for his goal scoring stats, but adds nothing to our world cup hopes.
Being able to score past fireman and PE teachers is one thing, when it comes to the top level, Rooney can't hack it.
30 goals in 57 competitive games for England is excellent and as good as any striker.
Wilshire is a talent, a few seasons back he was the current Barkley, it is a shame that now he always seems to be trying to regain his sharpness after an injury.
Barkley is going to be an amazing player. Him and the ox make me feel we might have a bright future after all.
If Rooney's attitude were of the "Right I'll show them..." approach it could be that would be the making of him in tournament football. Alternatively he'll get sent off after 10 minutes...
3 utterly rubbish performances in the warm ups showing either, he is well out of form, or, he is well off full fitness but its probably both as its world cup time.
Ross Barkley could have the game of his life and still not be picked.
Lampard--Henderson
Ox--Rooney--Llanala
Sturridge
Its a good problem to have because you could easily put Barkley, Gerrard, Sterling, Wiltshire in that lineup and it would still be as strong. Can't remember the last time we had as much strength in depth.
It doesn't matter how shit you play you will always start on reputation.
1. It normally means well out of form players are in key positions.
2. Never motivates the best players as they know it doesn't matter how little they do or how much anyone else does they always will start.
If Rooney was dropped it might just be the shock to the system the bloke needs.
But hey ho. Start him anyway no matter how shit he plays.