England V Sweden

[Scoobos]

The issue with Rooney is where to play him. As a lone striker he gets annoyed that players don't read him. As a no. 10 just of a no. 9 ? He has a tendency to drop too deep causing too much of a gap between midfield and attack.

Spot on IMO, at least we're not alone in this analysis. He's great at Man U , and if we build a team round him it might work out, but I don't think thats the way to go.

[doodab]

England hit a low when they were torn apart by a pretty average Germany at the last world cup, I think this has hastened the introduction of some much needed young blood into the squad which may not pay off immediately but could bode well for the future.

They were torn apart while chasing the game by a German side that was probably the 2nd best in the competition, narrowly lost to the winners while missing one of their better attacking midfielders and is currently doing a rather good job on the beaten finalists.

I think we looked better organised against France than we have done in a while, certainly not out of our depth as we did against the Germans. We didn't set the world on fire but it's a good starting point. I think we'll get out of the group but the next round could be tough.

[AtW]

Have they announced the Olympics squad yet, if so anyone got a link?

David Beckham will play for all 11.

HTH

[doodab]

I'm hoping that rooney/welbeck can link well as they have shown at man u.

I think we're all hoping for that

[Old Hack]

Cole and Hart are the only true world class players we have.
Rooney is a great club player but when it comes to international football he hasn't performed.
I doubt he would walk into any of the teams currently above us in the world ratings.

I'm hoping that rooney/welbeck can link well as they have shown at man u.

I'd rather listen to just about every football manager I have heard stating Rooney is a special player, than you, if that's ok.

As I said, not a United fan, but what he can do makes him a great footballer. I'd put Hart at about #7/8 in a list of the best keepers about. Cole, admittedly, is possibly one of the best LB's in the world at the mo, but Rooneys up there with the best in his position.

I am hoping the Rooney/Welbeck combination works as well as it does and Manchester United. Woy seems to think Rooney is a special player and has indicated the moment he can play, he will. I think we can both agree he knows a bit more about football than us, no?

He has performed on the world stage btw.

EDIT.

Just read the bbc news:

qwuote England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted his side have suffered from the absence of striker Wayne Rooney, who he described as "world class". unqwuote

England suffering without Rooney

[TheBigD]

I'd rather listen to just about every football manager I have heard stating Rooney is a special player, than you, if that's ok.

As I said, not a United fan, but what he can do makes him a great footballer. I'd put Hart at about #7/8 in a list of the best keepers about. Cole, admittedly, is possibly one of the best LB's in the world at the mo, but Rooneys up there with the best in his position.

I am hoping the Rooney/Welbeck combination works as well as it does and Manchester United. Woy seems to think Rooney is a special player and has indicated the moment he can play, he will. I think we can both agree he knows a bit more about football than us, no?

He has performed on the world stage btw.

EDIT.

Just read the bbc news:



England suffering without Rooney

How do you quantify a player is 'World Class' though? If you had to pick the best possible team from players throughout the world, he wouldn't be in it. I'm not even sure he'd make a World 23-man squad.

He's certainly head and shoulders the best player in England though.

[Old Hack]

How do you quantify a player is 'World Class' though? If you had to pick the best possible team from players throughout the world, he wouldn't be in it. I'm not even sure he'd make a World 23-man squad.

He's certainly head and shoulders the best player in England though.

I think he would, but again, thats the cracking thing about football.

[FiveTimes]

He has performed on the world stage btw.

Im not doubting his ability or that he is a great player. Possibly one of the best skillful players since gazza.
However he hasn't delivered on the world stage - fact.
Im looking forward to him coming back to the team and hopefully this will help England create a few more chances at goal

[Doggy Styles]

How do you quantify a player is 'World Class' though? If you had to pick the best possible team from players throughout the world, he wouldn't be in it. I'm not even sure he'd make a World 23-man squad.

He's certainly head and shoulders the best player in England though.

Not above Cole, who would certainly get in a world 23.

[TheBigD]

I think he would, but again, thats the cracking thing about football.

Really? You can't think of 2 strikers (assuming a 4-4-2 formation) you'd have in your team ahead of Rooney? I'd go for any two of Neymar, Messi, David Villa, Mario Gomez, Sergio Aguero.

Rooney wouldn't make the squad, but he wouldn't be too far down the list.