Well, what can I say? The almighty Hizmo is back to contribute his superior views and opinion of the game. It's good to see a few of the sensible posters still present on the forum. Meanwhile, I intend on addressing the controversy surrounding Rooney. I don't know what happen to Wayne against Montengro. For a moment, I thought the gradual instilling done by SAF was not taken into consideration by Rooney before he fouled the opposition player. I personally think Fabio does not communicate with his players' effectively seeing as he's incapable of speaking fluent and understandable English. It's a matter of time before Fabio perceives he isn't the right man for the job. The FA will surely explain this to him with such clarity as soon as England fail this summer. It seems it's not just Rooney's future that's under threat. I reckon Rooney's punishment was harsh, Arsene Wenger has already urged the FA not to appeal against the length of the ban as it can be extended. In my opinion Rooney should serve his three match ban and hopefully return into action once England progress on further. You cannot expect your national team to win the European Championship and leave him out a world-class player just because he misses the qualifying stage of the tournament. If you expect your team to win you have to take your best player even if he doesn't play the first three games, that's just my opinion. The vast majority seem to be shocked about UEFA's decision. There are rules in this game - two bookable offences is generally a one-match ban, foul and abusive language is a two-match ban and violent conduct is a three-game ban. I don't understand where the reports of a one-game ban came from in the first place. I just don't understand where the reports of a one-game ban came from. I could be wrong on this and I'm sure lots of people will correct me but the only way to get a one-game ban for a straight red card is for a professional foul. But any violent conduct has never been anything else but a three-game suspension. And on what grounds do the FA think they have the right to appeal the suspension? In defence of the FA, they'll go through anything in order to lift this ban. They/we know how important Rooney is to England.
Depends. If the FA appeal and UEFA bring the ban down to 2 games, then yes. But if they do not. Then leave him at home.
To be honest I doubt we would. And if we somehow do, then it will mean we have played well so its going to be harsh to drop the forward that has helped us get there. Also for 3 games, Rooney will be doing nothing and that will probaly drive him up the wall. And you know what happens after that.
I doubt he'd do something stupid whilst away. I can't see why he can't train with the rest of the lads while he serves his three match ban. I'd rather we had the options available than field inexperienced players' against world-class European teams. There's too many things to do in the hotel, he'll find something to keep himself occupied.
Then we'll most likely be playing Spain, Germany, Italy or the Netherlands and will lose with or without Rooney. I didn't actually see the sending off, but in the PL violent conduct is an automatic three match ban (if the referee sees it...). So I don't think we can complain all that much about the length of the suspension.
He deliberately kicked the player as soon as lost the ball, that's unacceptable in my opinion. I'd rather have a world-class available to play the likes of Spain, Germany, Italy and Holland. If he doesn't train with the rest of the guys, then his fitness levels will surely decrease.
Wasn't that cos it was his first offence and it wasn't quite as conclusive he meant it? Rooney ain't as white as Arshavin...
Rooney shouldn't have committed the foul. Simple. However interesting the FA are bricking themselves by asking for the ban to be reduced yet wasn't it the FA who handed out a 3 game ban to Rooney when he was sent off in the 2006 Amsterdam tournament for a lesser offence.
In this time of cut backs why not give the European Championships a miss because we are never going to get anywhere near the final and could save a lot of money.....and time
Getting out of the group stage doesn't mean the team, or the strikers, are playing well. Only have to look at last World Cup, nuff said, England were dreadful and still got out quite comfortably. Would it have been harsh to drop one of the strikers, all of whom were awful, there? Hardly. And so what even if it was harsh? The team is more important than a player's feelings. Besides taking Rooney doesn't necessarily mean you have to reinstate him to the starting XI once the knockout stage begins, it depends, he can be used as an impact sub as well, or he doesn't necessarily have to be used at all. But it's certainly better to have him as an option than some of the alternatives. And Rooney will not be doing nothing. He would train with the rest of the team and watch the games from the stands. That's plenty to do. Several other players will be doing the same, only 14 of the 23 can play in a match remember. Taking him is a no-brainer really.
