Rooney hype

[Mich the Tester]

They may as well be world champions in tiddlywinks, WGAS, football is the pinnacle.

So why does football obviously not attract the best athletic talent in the country, even if it does pay well?

Although I have to concede I watched England play and two guys stood out for me; Lescott and Walcott; both very fit, quick and agile; that's the sort of athlete you need imho, but they're exceptions.

[Bunk]

So why does football obviously not attract the best athletic talent in the country, even if it does pay well?

Because it's not just about who can run the fastest. Try doing it with a ball at your feet.

[northernladyuk]

I love how the CUK collective loves to take pot shots at Rooney's look's, let start seeing pictures of you lot on a thread, i'm guessing it wouldn't be pretty. Plenty baldness and fatness.

And that's just their breasts.

[gingerjedi]

Face it, England are crap at football...

Currently No. 6 in the FIFA world rankings (ahead of Italy, France & Argentina) which isn't too bad for a small nation.

[Mich the Tester]

Because it's not just about who can run the fastest. Try doing it with a ball at your feet.

Of course it isn't, but basic athletic ability is a large part of developing youngsters into top sportspeople, whatever the game. Coordination, speed, quick recovery, trainability etc are not seperate qualities, they interconnected; I think you'll see if you spend time with high level sportspeople that they can change to pretty much any other sport and do well. Top rugby players are often good at football and cricket, top footballers are often gifted tennis players (Jaap Stam lives in our village and occasionally plays tennis; he turned up a couple of years ago having never held a tennis racket and started smashing some very good players all over the court). Even top athletes and cyclists often have a gift for ball games. OK, you won't see people switching from marathon to the 100 metres, but the principle's the same; if you want success you've got to find the young athletic talent and develop it fully; I get the impression other sports are doing a better job of that in the UK than football.

[Mich the Tester]

Currently No. 6 in the FIFA world rankings (ahead of Italy, France & Argentina) which isn't too bad for a small nation.

World rankings are not what counts. Sport is about winning things.

[northernladyuk]

Thing he is overrated never won an Oscar and Pete's Dragon was tulip.

At least you'll never be overrated, luvvy.

[oracleslave]

he turned up a couple of years ago having never held a tennis racket and started smashing some very good players all over the court).

http://static.flickr.com/116/308101421_ff87120cb0_o.jpg

I would class myself as a very good tennis player and I find it impossible to believe that I'd be smashed all over the court by someone that has never held a racquet before.

[Mich the Tester]

http://static.flickr.com/116/308101421_ff87120cb0_o.jpg

I would class myself as a very good tennis player and I find it impossible to believe that I'd be smashed all over the court by someone that has never held a racquet before.

OK, good, very good, all relative, but the guy showed he has talent against decent players; don't underestimate ust what someone with a natural talent can do against less talented people who may have practised for years. The difference is visible within about 2 seconds.