Would normally agree with this but the trouble is he was ****e too. I'm not knocking his achievement at getting the record but he never does anything at tournaments. Maybe 2016 will be his year .
His WC record is shocking, 1 in 11 or something. But he actually has something like 5 in 6 games at Euros. Hopefully will be even better come next year. Also scored more tournament (not qualifiers) goals than anyone bar Lineker.
Well, it's the sort of thing which polarises opinion. Personally, I don't think and never have thought it was much of a record, although Charlton was a midfielder, so that makes it a little more impressive. Lineker started his England career in 1985 and only lasted 7 years. I think he would have beaten it comfortably, given the chance. Personally, I think ol' Gary is head and shoulders above everyone else, bar Greaves and Lofthouse. And Lineker did a lot of his in World Cups and serious matches. It's all about goals to games ratio, serious matches, quality of the team and opposition. For me, Gary Lineker's record stands out. He was a genuine world class finisher.
Agree with pretty much all of that, though for me the greatest shame was Owen getting his injury, he no doubt would of broken the record had that not of happened.
The BBC say his best tournament was as a teenager at Euro 2004, when he scored twice against both Switzerland and Croatia. Since then, however, he has scored just two more goals at major tournaments, with a winner against Ukraine at Euro 2012 followed by his goal in the defeat by Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup. Seems he started well and then maybe the pressure got to him.
A lot of pundits feel that Rooney has been a player of unfilled potential. For me, he has never been an out-n-out striker. I don't know which spotty herbert decided he was but I feel he's been held back because he's never played in his best position since he was 17-18 years old. He's an attacking midfielder or forward, and he's most effective there. He naturally wants to come back into those positions anyway. I think he became slightly discouraged years ago because he was being forced to lead the line. There, I've been sympathetic towards him.
Hang on, are you trying to say that our media overhyped him and thus has never hit the heights expected of him? Our media wouldn't do that would they I do agree with the general point though. Also worth mentioning in Rooneys 100 or so caps he hasn't played all of them as a striker, number 10, deeper in midfield & even out wide a lot of the time. I will never get over why we shunned him out wide last Summer to accomodate Sturridge who isn't an international striker imo.
Well, what a surprise. Player scores lots of goals for a 'small' team and is not called up. Moves to Liverpool, plays as a sub, makes 2 or 3 starts and wayhay called up by ex Liverpool manager. Probably has earned it, but that was the case before the move. And our FA are quick to point out the corruption in FIFA - maybe a little investigation into what happens at home would be equally as revealing. #wonthappen
Saw this on the Echo sit, as well, a user comment. "Sturridge has not been called up due to just returning from a long term injury.........Brenda moans, Woy doesn't pick him. Ryan is in the same boat and gets picked." The big club bias again.
To be fair, Sturridge's workload has to be very closely monitored - he's spent much more time injured than Ryan. This isn't big club bias - it's perfect sense. Plus Ryan is just about the only fit English left back!