Match Day Thread 2016/17 Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

Sam Allardyce says it is "not for me to say where to play Wayne Rooney" after his England reign started with a narrow World Cup qualifying win in Slovakia.

England struggled to break 10-man Slovakia's resistance before Adam Lallana secured a 1-0 victory seconds from the final whistle.

Captain Rooney, winning his 116th cap, played largely in a deep midfield role.

"Wayne played wherever he wanted to. I can't stop Wayne playing there," said Allardyce.

Rooney, 30, is now his country's most capped outfield player and is just nine more games away from equalling Peter Shilton's record of 125 England appearances.

Allardyce added: "I think that he holds a lot more experience at international football than me as an international manager.

"Using his experience with a team, and playing as a team member, it's not for me to say where he's going to play.

"It's up to me to ask whether he's doing well in that position, and contributing.

"I must admit, he did play a little deeper than I thought he'd play today, but I was pleased with his performance."

Allardyce was critical of England's finishing in Trnava and admitted he was getting "very concerned" before Lallana's goal after Martin Skrtel had been sent off for the hosts.

"Slovakia just parked the bus. In fact they parked a double decker, but we are going to have to be more clinical," added Allardyce, who took over from Roy Hodgson in July.

"We've got Theo Walcott scoring for Arsenal and Adam Lallana scoring for Liverpool. Harry Kane hasn't got one today so he is a bit slow off the mark while we know Daniel Sturridge can score. Wayne Rooney can score.

"Those players have to pop up and be a little bit more clinical in front of goal and make life a little bit easier for us."

How the **** did he get the job?

 

So after one game what have we learnt.....Rooney is now effectively running the show, with Fat Sam gazing lovingly into Wayne's eyes!!

 

Answer to the above is nobody else bar bruce wanted it.

The zenophobes made it clear only english will do.

 

It is the best quote isn't it

Only short of saying 'it's not me that picks the team, I ask Rooney where he wants to play and then pick the rest out of a hat and let fate decide'

 

Sam Allardyce is saying in a way Rooney is calling the shot, even though I am the manager.

 

Sam surely did not say that?? **** me.

Rooney shouldn't even be in the first XI let alone allowing him freedom to play any role he wishes.

Rooney was one of the best talents this country has ever produced but his time is up.

We cannot allow him to play as a playmaker (both number 10 or deep lying) because he just does not have that intelligence or speed of thought to dictate the play.

 

How can any player dictate where he plays? Yes you say what your preferred position is but like Milner with us, you get put into a position the manager tells you and you play there to the best of your ability. Rooney is not good enough to not have a free roaming role. I just do not see where he fits in this team, seeing Kane is out of form he can play upfront but is he more deserving that Vardy or Sturridge? Not sure about that, plus Rooney always wants to come deep so playing the lone striker upfront probably wouldn't work.

 

Was anyone else frustrated when a ten man Slovakia were not attacking in the slightest and they still keep a CDM on and take an attacking minded midfielder in Henderson off for Alli? I like Dier but there is no use in that sort of game where the team will not attack plus Henderson is a box to box midfielder and can easily cover.

 

The comments are absolutely hilarious, 'it's not for me to say where he is going to play'

I have never heard anything like it!

That will be that then, with Fat Sam as 'manager' and Rooney declaring retirement after Russia he will play every minute in an undisciplined role ****ing up the whole balance of the team.

 

Its amazing... it will all be forgotten when england win ten qualifiers against the dregs of europe and it'll be england to win world cup headlines in 2 years time.

I have to say its absolutely ASTONISHING that the guy has already mucked it up this badly.

allardyce needs to focus on two things. solid back line for clean sheets and then pace pace pace up front.. just so easy these days to qualify out of a group that surely even fat sam can't fail.

but this lot aint getting out of their group in the world cup.

 

A 2 year older Captain Rooney trying to be everywhere on the pitch - surely we're a shoe in for the final?

 

I read a guy commenting on this and stating this was vanity.


rooney has the goals record right? and he's got pens to score moe.

So.... he fancies himself as scholes and wants to just stand there hitting long diagonals at walker and rose who will be told to run like dogs to try get to the punts..

This allows wooney to sit there til he gets the england record caps badge and say he's the greatest of all time.

 

Allardyce needs sacking after those comments, complete waste of a salary

 

"burnt"

 

'burned' is also correct.

 

As much as barn cake is...

 

Well I wouldn't like a burnt one

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Wales 1-0.

Brilliant cross from Bale, decent header from Vokes.

 

Joe Allen 1st goal for Wales.

 

It gets worse. This is Rooney's reaction:
"I played in that role and helped us win the game - too much is getting made about it. I've done it my whole career and suddenly it's big news. It's not a big thing and I think there's a big overreaction to it."

What a massive arrogance, thinking just because he played he actually made a difference. He had **** all to do with England winning yesterday, it was a lucky last kick, mistake by the keeper and Skrtel being his usual self and getting sent off.
Its a big deal because it didn't help England win, had he played in the position he was supposed to play and had the manager told him to play in a position then it could have been a much easier win, instead of the laboured dull ****e.