They don't, that's the point. Not for their clubs and not for their country. The first touch of English players is typically awful, and that starts at grass roots level. Adam Lallana stands out among his peers precisely because he can receive a pass, and isn't left chasing his own wayward first touch. Sturridge, Rooney, Sterling, they all have ability but none of em can trap a bag of cement. English players can't do the simple things well, and that can only be because they've never been taught how.
That was Rooney's first EVER world cup goal. Seriously?! I mean he's been our main striker for the last 3... If that isn't a good enough reason to drop him from the England team I don't know what is. He should do the honourable thing and retire from international football.
Yep the goals Owen scored when playing on the wing or as a No10 were better too..........oh, he always played as a striker. ermm.
That's because Owen wasn't **** when playing as a striker, unlike Rooney. There's about much chance as me scoring a hat-trick against Germany as Rooney.
Every goal we scored this World Cup (albeit 2), Rooney had a hand in it. I feel he was one of our better players of a piss poor bunch (not saying he was great) this world cup, yet people are scrutinising him. No one is questioning Sturridge's place in the team after he butchered 3 or 4 chances against Costa Rica.
Rooney peaked as an international player at Euro 2004 as he had that hunger and arrogance. The nation behind him. Since then he has shown he can produce world class finishes but they are few and far between, but he can't be dropped, just because fans want to see change. To drop him completely players need to step up, Who are they? Connor Wickham?. Lets see if Van Gaal is capable of helping Rooney find himself again as if Van Gaal can "fix" Rooney, then he is still our most talented player and still an important part of the England team going into the Euro's.
How many of those were in friendlies and qualifiers though? It's really worrying.... I mean where are the goals going to come from at Euro16/ WC18? And the back 4, yikes. I can't see it getting any better.
Look at the teams Owen played in. Look at his supply. Look at his strike partner and the game at the time. Rooney has not had anywhere as good a team to play in as Owen. Rooney is our best striker by far. Much better than Sturridge. If we could sort out the supply OR sort out the way the forward line plays i.e. like Saints where they are fluid he would be as good as he is for United but until then he won't. Recurring problem for England is supply. We haven't had good supply since Beckham.
Tell you what, I saw Phil Jones and Chris Smalling playing for United towards the end of last season and what shocked me was that they could not pass the ball very well and were poor technically, they rely on their pace and power (particularly Jones) which is what is revered in the Premiership. They are suited to the open nature of the Premier League as is Sterling but if you have to break down a team sitting deep they do not have the technique or close control to bamboozle opposition and instead lose the ball. Premiership defences are weak. Just because we disagree it does not mean that we are wrong or boring.
Rooney has had a good footballing career, but I have always felt that he didn't quite achieve what he promised when young. Is this just down to him or is this related to the fact that English EPL players can coast and just lose their hunger? Players can coast in the top clubs...not all are top players...they've just got into a big club and get carried along...eg Phil Neville. No wonder top clubs are looking at Saints players. Not going to jump on the anti-Rooney bandwagon though...not his fault that there is a dearth of England strikers at the moment.
Just to be clear, my comments on this thread are not "anti-Rooney" but used him as an example of how poor our technique is.
