The debate has started. Many on here don't rate Rooney highly enough to even take him on the plane. Watford even, quite hilariously, rates Defoe above Rooney........quite, quite absurd! I thought I'd start a thread for this debate, rather than having the thread about England's wonderful display last night ruined by it. I believe many people can't separate their dislike of a player as a person and their ability as a footballer. IMO Rooney is a prime example. He's a bit thick, has done stupid things earlier in life and is stupendously rich. Some just can't see the footballer and nothing else imo. I absolutely can't stand Gazza............a complete and utter muppet of the highest order, but I also rate him as the best English player of his generation and one of the best English players I've ever seen. Rooney is, without doubt, now on a downward curve in his career and is most definitely not a shoe-in to start in the Euros. Nor should he be with so many good, young players coming through. He's lost a yard of pace, although he is nowhere near as slow as some would make out. However, IMO Rooney is still England's most gifted player technically. Alli has huge potential and could well take over that mantle, but not yet. He's only just starting out. Here are some stats to back up why I would take Rooney to the Euros: 1) He's England's all time top goal scorer. 2) He's scored 11 goals in his 13 games as Captain. 3) He was the top scorer in qualifying with 7 goals. 4) He's scored 36 competitive goals in 66 games. 5) Only Shearer and Lineker have scored more tournament goals than Rooney. 6) He's scored 26 goals in 36 games under Hodgson. Obviously stats are only part of the equation and you wouldn't be picking Lineker, Shearer or Charlton now!!! But Rooney is still only 30 and will be absolutely determined to prove the doubters wrong in the Summer and to finally show up at a major tournament. I think Hodgson is proving a lot of people wrong with his selections of young players in a very fluid formation, playing a pressing, counter attacking game. I also believe he will be strong enough to not pick Rooney if he isn't fit or if he thinks he has a better starting 11. But he MUST take him in the squad if he's fit. We may just see a revitalised Rooney now that he is playing for his place and has very talented players around him. At last, England aren't relying solely on him! Whether he starts or not is a different argument and probably depends on which system Roy goes for. If we play 4-2-3-1 I wouldn't mind seeing a fit Rooney in the centre behind Kane, with Alli and Barclay either side of him. Lallana and Wellbeck could also play in these positions, with Alli in the centre. England have a strong squad and will have very good players to make an impact from the bench, like Vardy and Barclay did last night. If we start with a 4-3-3 I can't see a place for Rooney unless he has an absolutely fantastic last couple of months in the league, which is unlikely as he always takes a few games after injury to get back up to speed. The biggest argument for taking Rooney on the plane at least is this: If the sitter that Alli missed or the two very good chances that fell to Henderson and Lallana had fallen at Rooney's feet he would, imo, almost certainly have supplied a cool finish. Whether from the bench or starting, Rooney has the experience and ability, along with a proven record of sticking these chances away. This could be the difference in a close Euro game.
An opinion from a neutral, I agree that Rooney should go ahead of Defoe. Defoe is at the back end of his career and age has caught up with him. Rooney is a much better player.
I don't like Rooney in his roaming role, no good on the half-way line or on the wing. As an out and out striker, yes
A flat track bully who's best Tournament days ended in 2004 as they started. Play him up front, he's slow and Meat and Drink for a Varane, Ramos. Play him behind Kane, why? Alli has shown to be better Mr Col, if you bother to take your Union Jack underpants ans vest off just for a second - you will notice that you have been completely ****e at every tournmaent other than 2004 and perhaps I'll give you 2006 where your man was sent off - Rooney has done feck all. Kane is ahead of him, as are Vardy and Sturridge. As a midfielder or behind a striker, that will mean your playing 2 holding midfielders which will have you standing off too far back and way too much pressure on a very poor defence. By the way - You are play a parody on here right? Stupid me - of course you do.
My reason for picking Defoe is that both he and Rooney are not good enough on form for the first XI. However, if you need someone to come in for 10 minutes and have an impact, I'd back Defoe in his place. None of your reasons have anything to do with his fitness or form now. He may only be 30 but he's the oldest 30-year-old out there. The United board on here seem to mostly believe he offers very little now. Great if you want someone to attempt 50 yard passes, not so great if you want some impact. Great if you want a flat track bully against San Marino. Not so great against professional international footballers.
he had plenty of talented players around him in all the tournaments hes played, sorry but Rooneys been past it for about 2years now, time to move on, we wont though as he is captain and will play if fit. should be vardy and kane full stop
This is a ridiculous argument. I'm not advocating Rooney because he's English you buffoon. Also, if you've watched how this England side plays, they DO sit deep and invite teams on. Then they press with their forward 3 or 4 and play a fast, counter attacking game in transition. To say Rooney has "done feck all" as you put it is, quite possibly the most stupid remark I've ever read on here. It's a bit like saying "Russia doesn't exist". And what the **** does "By the way - You are play a parody on here right?" mean?
If all goes well then this young team plays with a fearlessness that sets them up for the next 3 or 4 tournaments. If, as history shows, the media hype gets too much then there's a chance that this promising group gets ruined before it's begun. That's when a few experienced players, who have been in that situation before, will be invaluable. None have been subject to as much hype as Rooney. I think he's lost a bit of passion for club football (probably only a return to Everton as his boyhood team could salvage that) but I think he does have it when wearing an England shirt. He has to be in the squad (hopefully not needed) and his recent form for England doesn't offer any justifiable reason to drop him either.
I really don't see why. Defoe is a specialist at nicking goals. The sort of player you'd trust to put a chance away over just about anyone else. The highest scoring substitute in PL history I believe and having a very good season in an awful Sunderland team. What is Rooney good at nowadays? Goalscorer? Quick? Target man? I don't see what he does any more that others can't.
Read his goal scoring stats. Wats, I know you're an intelligent guy. I really can't believe that you're saying that Defoe would be a better bet to get us a goal than Rooney. Quite bizarre. E mail every football journalist in the Country and ask them if they agree with you. I'm not sure even one would.
Why is that bizarre? Defoe has eleven league goals for crappy Sunderland compared to seven for Rooney. He's fitter than Rooney undoubtedly. I'm not suggesting starting him but as a sub, I just don't see what impact Rooney could have. He hardly ever even plays up front any more. I'm sure some journalists would agree with me but I don't care if they don't.
Of course they wouldn't agree with you!! You don't see what impact Rooney would have? With his goal scoring record and technical ability? Have you ever rated him? I'm not saying Rooney should definitely start, but to suggest that Defoe should get a place on the bench ahead of him is just ridiculous. We'll just have to agree to differ. You think Defoe is better than Rooney..........I don't. Bloody hell, it's all the more strange when written out like that.
[QUOTE="rangercol, post: 9073150, member: And what the **** does "By the way - You are play a parody on here right?" mean?[/QUOTE] You're just too good, ****ing hilarious, and to think Tramore got rid of Swords for Wumming!!!
