Post by Neko Bazu on Aug 13, 2007 9:37:06 GMT -1
With Rooney's latest injury, it looks like he'll not be available for England's friendly against Germany or the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Will England really miss him? I think not.
Don't get me wrong, I do honestly believe he's a great player. He just doesn't seem to bring anything to the national side. He's not scored in a competitive match for three years, and I can't recall many assists. He's not renowned for running back and helping out defensively, and the opposition know that if they wind him up, he'll lash out - free kicks a-plenty, and possibly even a red card. He seems to have more hype about him than quality, at that level, and the trouble is the other England players believe it and seem to depend on him a lot, much like they used to Beckham. When he's there, the ball goes to him on the assumption he'll do something. When he's not, they seem lost (though with a choice between the likes of Crouch, Defoe and Bent to pass to, I would be too). Maybe he's being asked to do too much; I don't know.
Owen, certainly, is more valuable to the side than Rooney, IMO, as is Beckham now that he's apparently rediscovered his better form. I'd put Gerrard in before him too, since he has shown at international level that he can sometimes take a game by the scruff and lead the way (albeit far less often than he does for Liverpool). Joe Cole's another who'd be on the team sheet before him, and you could even argue in favour of having Crouch on too, giving us a little-and-large act up front (a target man and someone to feed the ball on the floor to), though I still question his international credibility (12 goals, yes, but against who?)
Long ramble cut short; I don't believe Rooney's absence is going to be the doomsday that the media will doubtless have us believe.
Will England really miss him? I think not.
Don't get me wrong, I do honestly believe he's a great player. He just doesn't seem to bring anything to the national side. He's not scored in a competitive match for three years, and I can't recall many assists. He's not renowned for running back and helping out defensively, and the opposition know that if they wind him up, he'll lash out - free kicks a-plenty, and possibly even a red card. He seems to have more hype about him than quality, at that level, and the trouble is the other England players believe it and seem to depend on him a lot, much like they used to Beckham. When he's there, the ball goes to him on the assumption he'll do something. When he's not, they seem lost (though with a choice between the likes of Crouch, Defoe and Bent to pass to, I would be too). Maybe he's being asked to do too much; I don't know.
Owen, certainly, is more valuable to the side than Rooney, IMO, as is Beckham now that he's apparently rediscovered his better form. I'd put Gerrard in before him too, since he has shown at international level that he can sometimes take a game by the scruff and lead the way (albeit far less often than he does for Liverpool). Joe Cole's another who'd be on the team sheet before him, and you could even argue in favour of having Crouch on too, giving us a little-and-large act up front (a target man and someone to feed the ball on the floor to), though I still question his international credibility (12 goals, yes, but against who?)
Long ramble cut short; I don't believe Rooney's absence is going to be the doomsday that the media will doubtless have us believe.
