Rooney says he will do the business this season

I hope that he is correct as I would love to see him get to his best,
I was quiet critical about him last season, but I do know he has potential but does not show it all the time, he needs to become consistent.

Luke Rooney is determined to emerge from the fringes this season and become a key figure in Gillingham’s League 2 promotion charge.

The exciting young forward (pictured) has made 32 league appearances for the Gills but all but four have been off the substitutes’ bench.

The coming campaign will be his third in the first team and he’s eager to make it one to remember.

"It’s a massive season coming up for me," said Rooney, who reports back for pre-season training along with the rest of the Gills squad on Monday.

"Even though I made a lot of appearances last season there weren’t too many starts for me. I spoke to the manager before I left for the summer.

"I know what he needs out of me and I am prepared to come back and give it to him.

"I want to be one of the first names on the team sheet this year rather than just an impact player."

The 20-year-old is eager to show manager Andy Hessenthaler that he means business.

"He (Hessenthaler) wants me to come in during pre-season and show that I can be a starter," added Rooney.

"I am prepared to do that and I am going to work even harder than I have done before.

"Last season I was in his face and I think that’s what he likes. He wants people to be grafting and causing a problem and I did that a couple of times last year. I gave him a few things to think about and he put me in the side."


http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/2011/june/27/luke_rooney.aspx

 

"He (Hessenthaler) wants me to come in during pre-season and show that I can be a starter," added Rooney.
Have I missed something here? Why wouldn't Hessy want him in for pre-season like everybody else? Do not all of the squad (what thereis left) make pre-season training?

 

he is making it look like Hess only wants to look at him, whereas Hess will look at them all as nobody is safe in the team I believe.

 

I don't see why people are critical of Rooney, he is young and with a little bit to much fire in him at times.
At least he tries and certainly has plenty of energy.

The more experienced player's will hopefully guide him in the right direction

 

yeah I do admit he tries but he does waste sometimes and does leave the defence open, which was not all his fault as the defence should defend for themselves.

 

I was not criticising Rooney, I was asking why Rooney was surprised at being asked to come in for pre season training. Being part of the squad would he not be coming in anyway?

 

Yeah you would have thought so.

 

baldeagle - chill

In no way, was my comment even referring to anything you stated

 

Yes I feel his decision making is awful sometimes, shooting instead of passing and vicsa versa (spelling?). I agree that he is still young and has time to learn but I saw very little improvement last season, here is hoping he will step up next season

 

You try chillin' in this weather! lol

 

hes not surprised. if i can decode that for those whose brains seemed to have turned off in the heat... "He (Hessenthaler) wants me to come in during pre-season and show that I can be a starter" becomes "He (Hessenthaler) wants me to come in during pre-season as is normal and prove to him that I am good enough to earn a regular starting place in the team by working hard and being consistent".

I hope this clears it up for people who were about to judge rooneys work ethic

 

Rooney sounds surprised that Hessy wants him in for pre-season training to prove that he is good enough to earn a regular starting place. Does that not also apply to the other squad players. That was the point I was trying to make.

 

This thread has lost me?

Rooney has asked the gaffer about getting 1st teams starts, Hess has replied by saying it's up to you to show me in pre-season that you deserve a place.

I can't see anywhere in that which suggests Rooney is surprised by the comment.

 

hang on

 

thank you grumpy, someone gets it!

 

i read it that way first time to, hes telling him what he wants him to do in preseason in order to get what he wants

 

I'm afraid that Rooney will become one of those "never quite made it players" of which non-league is full.

 

I think you may be right.

 

I may have to agree with vinney this time. We might sign him back for big money when he's 28 and starts playing well though?

 

It is a shame though, but I feel that you may be right. It may take another club to have faith in the lad and make him into a decent player. Why that can't be Gillingham, I just don't know.