"I don't think it's fair to say Rooney slows down England too much - you also need brains and Wayne has shown he has that in international football over the years."
Rooney has underachieved at international level (and club level in recent times too), but he has still been an important player for England - not least in qualifying when he was top scorer. He can still play a key role. He is best in the #10 role behind a centre forward (Kane) and with two quick wider players (Vardy, Welbeck, Sterling - and others can fill those roles). He is still one of only a few English players who is comfortable on the ball, can link up play and on his day, can produce genuine quality. It means playing him instead of Alli, but that isn't necessarily a problem. Alli is 19 and inexperienced. He can't be expected to play every minute of every game against opponents who will make life difficult for him by closing down space. All the teams at the Euros are well organised and can defend. He might be best as an impact sub where his energy and running later in the game will have greater effect. Rooney is also versatile - he can play any position in a front three or deeper and even when he's not at his best, his workrate is second to none. How many other forwards track back and cover like he does? He still has a lot to offer and you know he will be selected for the squad. There is, however, no reason to think Woy will be dogmatic about playing him. Or subbing him if he does play. If he doesn't merit selection for a particular game, he shouldn't play. But it strengthens England to have him in the squad. And experience in a young squad is valuable. Like all level top level sport, teams rarely blow opponents away. There are key moments in games which swing the balance. Experience at those times is often crucial.
Bad news for the northeast in tonight's Ireland game. John O'Shea made an enormous ****-up to allow Slovakia to score the opener. Rob Elliot picked up some sort of injury during the move, despite nobody going near him. Do the Geordies have anyone else left?
Here's a blast from the past: Emil Hallfredsson played the first 45 minutes of Iceland's match against Greece.
Shane Long equalises in Dublin. Comes from the spot and the penalty call is dubious at best. He's looking good, to be fair to him. Skrtel brings him down for another penalty, as I type this! He's not looking good! McClean makes it 2-1 with the second pen.
Matt Ritchie has scored for Scotland against Denmark. We've been linked with a move for him this week. Can't see it happening, to be honest.
I will never forget the time Hallfredsson made a balls up in a pre season game at Fleet in Hampshire and Clive Allen yelled at him "Emil, you're effing ****". .
We play Slovakia in our final warm up for the Euros. No doubt Martin will injure big Kyle Lafferty. ****house.
Recently signed for Udinese, apparently. He's 31. Didn't think he left that long ago but it's been nine years!
Barca? Do they need a donkey to make some dog food or something? If it makes you feel any better, it appears that Daniel Agger was at fault for Scotland's goal. Not a great night for Liverpool defenders past and present, so far.
Rose is a lucky boy tonight... Wonder if Gomez hadn't been injured if he'd be in the running for LB. Real weak-point for England imo. Interestingly read earlier on a reasonably reliable site that we've been scouting Wimmer but won't pursue now he's playing.
England have a lot of options at left-back, but appear to be ignoring most of them. I've mentioned Cresswell a number of times. No idea what he's done to be consistently left out.
Maybe Hodgson can't find Upton Park on his GPS? Put the Boleyn Ground in. No? East London plastic castle? No? **** it. Who plays for Man Utd?
