I can separate the two. I can't stand Gazza as a person, but he's one of the best players I've ever seen.
Thats fair enough, but he wasnt exactly a role model was he? Look where he is now as opposed to Beckham etc?
Really? So you'd be happy if your son turned out like him? Think you've missed the point of a role model mate. Genius footballer-yes Role Model - nost certainly NOT Add to that the fact that Geordie git cost me 100 quid for a hotel room when we were supposed to be staying with Merson.(at Middleborough)!! Bloke was paraletic in the bedroom and couldnt move! Certainly no role model of mine mate. Each to thier own though
I think the point is that the best/most exciting player of his generation is by default a role model, whether its Gazza, Rooney or George Best. They're the ones who the kids want to pretend to 'be' in kick arounds. It's an unfair responsibility, they don't ask for it, aren't trained for it and as we have seen are frequently ill equipped to offer a good example on and off the pitch. Beckham would be a good example of a good example. Of course, anyone stupid enough to think that emulating Gazza's or Best's off the pitch life is a good idea deserves everything they get as a result.
Good god back in the UK and is this sports news? Rooney is a brilliant player in the mould of the great Paul Scholes IMO ⦠let him be ⦠football is a dirty game let it be ⦠He pays the punishment .. Yes he may worry a few people that he may let the country down ⦠but it hasn't happened yet and England are a long way off being a force. I hear Dany Murphy say he should of just tripped him up??? is that allowed? I would try and stamp out diving cheats before a few wild kicks This is what happens when you allow the media into your nut
The real problem is that England have struggled to get anyone suitably positioned to be a role model anywhere near the England captaincy (or, put simply, there aren't the role models):- Beckham - early moments of petulence (sendings off), Rebecca Loos incident. Gerrard - night club incidents (possibly including getting his mates to take the blame for beating someone). Rio - failure to attend a routine drugs test. Terry - where to start. Rooney has had his share of moments on and off the pitch but I suppose a more general point is that we put the best players we can find out onto the field for England irrespective of any indiscretions and then suddenly expect the chosen captain to be a paragon of virtue. The FA need to accept the failings of their chosen few (which they seem to do) or make a unified stand on morality (and hope that there's enough to field a team at the end of it). It would probably take a generation (in footballing terms) to get the role models right and I don't think anyone would be prepared to make that sacrifice. The fans need to accept this FA viewpoint or make them aware if theirs is not the common view but should accept the pitfalls of the hero-worship of human beings that are flawed.
It's certainly a less profound game than when Albert Camus wrote "All I know most surely about morality and obligation I owe to football". Now he'd have to write " All I know most surely about cheating, greed and shagging anything that moves I owe to football"* It's daft expecting these usually poorly educated and spoilt young men to act as role models anyway. * exaggeration for effect. There are plenty of honourable footballers at all levels, and many who put time and energy into things other than lining their pockets.
It's you missing the point. All footballers are role models, as stan says, whether that's fair or not.
It was a lazy tackle. If he had bothered and put in a little more effort he'd either have been able to foul him by the ankles or pull his shirt and he would have got away with a yellow. I'm afraid he's to thick to know the difference, probably thought he'd only recieve a yellow.
Sorry mate, but that's not right. He's already stated that he meant to trip Downing, but the West Ham man got further away from him than he thought he would, which resulted in the mis-timed trip becoming a wild swipe. I've never seen so much hype around a simple red card. Move on everybody.
COL I want to make a point but don't go mad, okay! First Ferdinand can do no wrong and now Rooney. There's a pattern that I had an inkling existed and its because you're such a big England fan you can't see the wood for the trees with senior England players. It annoys me, particularly given that you never left the poor auld Dunney Monster alone even though Ferdinand has dropped more goal clangers in a month than Dunne has in a year yet you won't say a word against him. Its bad form IMO
You're wrong, as usual. I'd happily see Ferdinand dropped for Ned or even Clint. He was right for a 3-5-2 imo but he's now looking a liability. However, I don't agree with many on here that he's now as bad as some are suggesting. I genuinely think Rooney's challenge was a mis-timed attempt at a "professional" foul as Downing broke away. I stand up for Rooney when people say stupid things like he doesn't score enough goals etc. I don't like him much as a person, but as I said earlier, I can separate that from how I rate him as a player. Many on here simply hate anything linked with Man Utd. I consistently go against the flow with regards to Sturridge and Baines, both whom I don't particularly rate at International level. Jagielka is a senior England centre half and I think he's awful. Are you starting to get the picture now?
That's not all you said at all. I've given you a response. If you want to carry on looking for something that isn't there, feel free. Knock yourself out.
No they are not. They may be prominent figure in the public eye, but that doesnt make them role models at all.
