Differing opinions out there as to whether there was contact, but the intent was definitely there, as was the case in the 2008 incident with Niko, who nimbly side-stepped the challenge? Where's Flyer when you need him? [video=youtube;ZFUXYADTubY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFUXYADTubY&feature=youtu.be&a[/video] [video=youtube;wJYTTUkaemo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJYTTUkaemo&feature=youtu.be&a[/video] Talking of Niko, here's another one of his firecrackers whilst at Pompey in 2007 with Harry - too bad his effort today didn't go in. [video=youtube;eHCow5S8GAY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHCow5S8GAY&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]
Does anyone think that stripping him of the England captaincy is sufficient? We need to erase all records relating to his international career. Let history show that we actually played with ten men in all his appearances, as a sign of our charity and goodwill to other nations. Let his goals be attributed to more worthy figures - Florence Nightingale scored in the recent friendly against Norway, Isaac Newton equalised against Italy and so on. As for Rooney himself, he should be tarred, feathered and catapulted over the Scottish border as a warning (although I'm not sure to what the warning should relate). Or we could let him serve his few game ban and move on.
A tad harsh perhaps. I would agree though that having a player with his temperament as England captain could well be a liability. It is all too easy to get him to lose his composure, and in the heat of the moment this can result in a red card in a matter of seconds.
I don't pick that up in this case. Just people commenting on a nasty little **** who can kick a ball better than most. That fact that he is captain of both Utd and England speaks volumes on the lack of leadership material in both squads.
His first red card in the premier league for 5 years. As matt cleverly put it, it's a red card....... end of.
I agree that there was no alternative for the England captaincy. Rooney's nasty streek is what makes him the player he is imo. In fact I would suggest that his efforts to reign himself in over the years have reduced his effectiveness.
Didn't realise it had been that long since his last in the Premiership, but still slightly worries me if other teams know they can rile him up and then reap the rewards. Agree though, that you have to take the good with the bad. His aggression is part of his game, and he wouldn't be the same without it, it just comes with the cost of a very occasional red card.
He needs to understand the meaning of punishment. Let him suffer true isolation, loneliness and disenfranchisement, two or three away games playing up front for us should do it.
Never boght into the Rooney myth... Disgrace as an England captain and getting found out without others around him Not an anti ManUre comment, just never liked the bloke. Can be a decent footballer on his day but shagging old grannies isnt exactly a role model for kids.
Totally Agree Col, the worry is, England captaincy may force him to reign in that aggression even further, exacerbating the decline in his effectiveness.
Precisely. He could have easily brought down the West Ham player without trying to kick him in the groin. Oh well, you can take the boy out of Toxteth...........makes Huyton, where Gerrard and Barton grew up, look positively middle class.
