.... Wayne Rooney ... yes he scored ... but he looked overweight, off the pace, dodgy first touch and gave the ball away numerous times . couple that with what seemed to be a reluctance to pass to Walcott when the latter would then have been one-on-one with a last defender and I. for one, can't, at the moment, see how his inclusion improves the team markedly going forward (when compared to the Sweden game) . So unfortunately I can't work up the same enthudiasm that Roy Keane seems to have for Rooney as a potential tournament winning factor (I'm sure there is no club bias) ... really hope I'm wrong.. Other observations on the match last night My man of the match - step forward Scotty Parker ... I wasn't originally convinced that he was true international class .. but he has now convinced me ... he's not Messis or Iniesta admittedlty but he does remind me of Nobby Stiles .. limitless energy, selfless running box to box .. putting his head into the tackle ... blocking with his face ... a real difference last night both in defence and attack.. John Terry - I worry what better forwards are going to do to him ... lucky escape with the 'goal' (I know it was technically offside but better forwards won't be) Young .. played better last night but even my cat knows he is going to cut back onto his right foot each time and i would much prefer the Ox or Theo in that wide berth .. Gerrard - another solid captains performance Wellbeck - gets better each game Hart - one of the best in the tornament Everyone else did OK ... although still wonder whether Milner adds a great deal
I think the team suffered because Rooney was in it, not just because Carrol in those positions could have had 2-3 goals (as most of Rooneys chances were headers, and thats what we took Carrol for) but his general effort was terrible. No matter how bad people say Carrol is, he harries defenders into making passes, he basically defends from the front, whereas when Rooney loses the ball, he gives up and expects others to come out of position to get the ball back.
Can't argue with anything there. I too would drop Milner and Young for Ox and Walcott. However I would also start Carroll. I think he adds something that noone else can offer. His goal against Sweden was, for a target man, world class.
Isn't a surprise that Rooney was off the pace - but was that he was so far up front. Would have thought he'd be ideal in a Number 9 position with someone in front of him as we need some creativity in the centre and he always drops into midfield looking for the ball anyway. Don't agree with that - would say that he has been rather poor. Doesn't take control of the penalty area, flaps at crosses too much and was a pussy that backed down instantly when he confronted Ibrahimovic after the second Sweden goal. Haven't got anyone else though which is annoying.
