http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/9613083.stm A few months back at the start of the season, I and a few other members on here were calling out for Rooney to be starting in our first team regularly. The article basically sums up my thoughts on the matter. Rooney really is becoming a valuable player and now rather than being an impact substitute, someone I believe we would dearly miss should an injury/suspension occur at this stage.
I'd rather lose Luke than Jack Payne. It seems results have been going poorly since his injury. That can't be a coincidence, surely? (I'm guessing because I can't get to games)
Rooney divides opinion like no other player. I think all sides, both fans and critics alike will agree on one thing which is that he has shown real improvement over the last few weeks. The most relevant comment in the article is that he has now started to listen to advice. It is a pity he has taken two years to learn how to listen. Jack Payne did not appear to have such a problem with listening.
He's still got a lot to learn, like how to pass the ball to team mates who are in a better position to score, and don't keep looking for the 40 yard pass when a 2 yard one will do. Yes, he has improved and he's exciting to watch, but in that article he didn't say he was learning, just he's better now he's got a run in the team. I get a feeling he won't be told.
I have seen great improvement since he has been playing regular first team football and think that is why the younger players should be given a fairer chance to get into the first team. Apart from Payne and now Rooney they have never been given a fair chance. Crofts and Jarvis were the last 2 youngsters to break into the first team and where are they now, also Noseworthy hasn tdone to bad either.
Luke Rooney & Jack Payne two totally different temperaments, however, both would be in my starting team. IMO you can never tell a player of Rooney's temperament to listen and he should not have to admit he's listening, the more experienced members of the team can only attempt to coach him in the right direction, then it is his own choice whether he takes that on board.
Luke has been fantastic so far this season and is becoming a very important first team player. Lets hope as is confidence grows now he is finally been given a proper chance he continues to improve and show the quality we know he is capable of.
I probably couldn't agree more with this. I probably couldn't disagree more with this. I can't stand Rooney as a player and consider him a waste of space in the team. The lack of passing is frustration, lack of fitness, not to mention his wanders to the wrong side of the pitch, leaving the left competely open. I will admit (grudgingly) that he can take a good shot but I really don't think it makes up for his lack of refinement for the other 80 minutes of the game! He frustrates me incredibly but what frustrates me more is that the whole way through the game the cround groans at his moments of madness and losing the ball in the critical positions and then he scores or goes on a good run and it's all forgotten!!! Not that I'd ever go one about it...
Rooney can definitely divide opinion, great one day and **** another. But overall he is good and is a decent player to have, Would not be in my team every game if we had everyone available but he would start quiet a few.
hess needs to sit down with rooney and clearly outline where his place is on the field and what is expected of him, if this is left winger then this is where he stays predominatly he needs to be looking to exploit the width of the pitch and making runs behind the oppositions right mid and fullback not coming short and getting inot the same area as martin. if hes playing as a creative force with freedom this is fine but we will then need someone else on the left. problem is i reckon he's already been told this plenty of times however once he gets on the pitch he forgets it. dont get me wrong i think he is technically and very good player but his positioning and awareness are still lacking
Rooney is definately what some would call a luxury player, but at the same time he can be our best at opening up defences. Divides opinion in the same way Adam Miller used to. But I would be happier if both were in the team rather than not.
Two assists (one a brilliant run and cross) and a goal today for Luke, he sure is proving the doubters wrong, long may it continue, cmon U Gills!
We will miss him when he is gone and I dont reckon it will be long so enjoy while he is here methinks
As a doubter of Rooney at the start of the season I'm happy to hold my hands up for the time being and say that he is fast becoming one of our more key players. He made a massive contribution on Saturday and is looking to improve as every game passes. He is benefiting from having a proper run in the team. If he had an extra yard or two of pace he would be a real danger at this level but the real test for him will be if he can keep his place in the side when the likes of Jack Payne, Spiller, Lee and Jackman all come back.
For those of you that didn't see/hear the Torquay game, Rooney had a great game. People that have mentioned his fitness or lack of passing just need to look at our 4th goal. Brilliant play by any means & level. I'd like to hear what sort of team/formation people would play without Rooney in the starting XI right now? On a side note, great goal from Whelpdale. Hopefully kickstart his season and we could pose a very big threat from both wings.
Actually, at the Paint pot game, it worked so so well with a combo of Kuffour/S.Payne/Kedwell upfront and Nouble playing right mid. So I'd move Whelpdale to left and Nouble to right and Rooney would take a place on the bench. It worries me a lot that some games people come home raving about how brilliant Rooney played and other weeks, can't get over how aweful he was. Too inconsistent and, as has been said, a complete lack of understanding of his position on the pitch.
The inconsistency I could have agreed with in the past, but given this run in the team, has he not been consistently good?! Possible long shot from me here but could he possibly be given somewhat of a free role? I didn't attend the cup game so that sounds rather interesting. Although perhaps harshly I'm not at all a fan of S.Payne and would rather young Miller make the squad.
