Agreed - I would never boo one of my own players personally But Gareth Southgate did Wayne Rooney absolutely no favours by playing him against Malta - I suspect his rationale was that if Wayne played and we absolutely spanked them - perhaps with Wayne notching a couple - then some of the doubters would be forced into keeping quiet - but if he left Wayne out and we spanked them then there would be more clamouring for him to stay out. As things transpired we laboured to a 2-0 win and the hierarchy / team mates then made things worse with their post match musings about not understanding the booing and that Wayne had had a 'fantastic game' ... we were playing Malta ffs there is no such thing as a 'fantastic game' against Malta - they are one of the few teams left at international level against whom you should be looking for double figures. Trying to spin positives over the performance itself and Wayne Rooney's in particular (given the now infamous nutmeg) is the proverbial "polishing of a turd" ... and that is all. Southgate has now been left with no option ... would have been far better not to have played Rooney against Malta and have 'saved him' for the sterner test tonight ...could have spun that and people would have bought it ... huge own goal by both the manager and the FA IMHO. ... but at least it has shaken things up.
Rooney is not playing tonight, I think? Not his fault he is picked...I put zero blame on him for whatever the **** he is being blamed for. Typical English public and press.
Absolutely bang on. It's depressing how to a lot of United fans Rooney is now seen as a **** because he's been playing out of position, admittedly poorly, by a variety of managers. This includes a variety of England managers. What's he supposed to do, refuse to play unless it's at 'ten'? His treatment by a few United fans is ****ing outrageous. England fans are what they are though, no surprises at all.
Rooney has actually handled all this utter bollocks very well. Fair play, but do the right thing and retire from international football like most do at this stage (except Beckham, the nob)
Agree about the Rooney stuff as well that he's our scapegoat. Interesting to hear Southgate say yesterday he remembers Sven saying 'Rooney is this countrys future and you need to look after him' and that looking back he doesn't think we have. Bang on for me and typical of our press, build them up and knock 'em down... Alli & Rashford likely to go same way tbh...
Worst England team in my generation, I'm guessing you're a similar age, so same applies to you. He's the one that sticks out though to be captain. He's club captain and a vocal player. Who else is there?
Exactly. He's the obvious pick Bad times! Although if people put their bias to one side, the lad is actually a proper grafter and a very good CM. Still nowhere near the level to be international captain, but we're dire so he gets my vote.
Personally I'd bite the bullet and give it to John Stones ... a left of field alternative would be Dele Alli ... the rationale behind both would be the same ... the only two that I think will be guaranteed to be playing for the next 5-10 years in an England shirt ...
I don't see why he's a worse choice than Rooney. He has a better temperament, plays in a more suitable position for a captain and has been playing consistently well. He's not the most amazing player in the world, but they often don't make good captains, anyway.
Him shouting a bit doesn't make him captain material. There isn't anyone else and since he's the only England international that captains his club side (off the top of my head, I think that's right) he gets it by default. Personally think it's a shame that John Terry is such a ****er because he's the best captain England has. Would have taken the heat off Rooney too.
Agreed. He's a better choice than Rooney without doubt. Rooney just isn't a captain. Has been a great player over the years but not 'captain material'.
Dele Alli wasn't actually a serious suggestion ... merely to show that there are arguably only two players 'guaranteed' to be featuring long term ... no point giving it to Hendo IMHO as he is bang average ... I know you like him and that's fair enough mind ... but there was no better English midfielder in the EPL than Danny Drinkwater last season (every stat supports that) ... yet I wouldn't be advocating him for the England captain role either ...
