Just how good is Wayne Rooney

I'm not going to defend his performance yesterday, however I just don't think he's the only one costing us games.

Giggs has been just as bad and Saha needs to be more clinical as well.

Brian3-5-2 wrote:He may not be as fast as Saha but he has lots of pace, strength and stamina. Said this before. His terrier like attributes suit a role in the engine room of the team.. Destroying defensive midfielders the likes of Makelele and Gattuso. By chasing and husseling down and causing mayhem in front of top defences.. He feeds on confrontation not playing as a lonesome forward...As for his poor form this is in part caused by the boring positon he is expected to play.....

I can see him playing in midfield in the future however his poor form is nothing to do with his position he basically gets the most freedom out of anyone in the team, no excuses he's just Playing Shite

Parks lives wrote:I'm not going to defend his performance yesterday, however I just don't think he's the only one costing us games.

Giggs has been just as bad and Saha needs to be more clinical as well.

True i think the problem is Rooney just needs competition not a place in the team every week where everything revolves around him at 21 years of age even though he's playing shit. Roll on Larsson and Torres

COTR wrote:does anyone REALLY think totti is world class though

Yes.

poiuy1 wrote:

Parks lives wrote:I'm not going to defend his performance yesterday, however I just don't think he's the only one costing us games.

Giggs has been just as bad and Saha needs to be more clinical as well.

True i think the problem is Rooney just needs competition not a place in the team every week where everything revolves around him at 21 years of age even though he's playing shit. Roll on Larsson and Torres

If Larsson or Ole go on a scoring run with Saha out for the next couple of weeks, I'd seriously consider giving them more playing time.

Parks lives wrote:

poiuy1 wrote:

Parks lives wrote:I'm not going to defend his performance yesterday, however I just don't think he's the only one costing us games.

Giggs has been just as bad and Saha needs to be more clinical as well.

True i think the problem is Rooney just needs competition not a place in the team every week where everything revolves around him at 21 years of age even though he's playing shit. Roll on Larsson and Torres

If Larsson or Ole go on a scoring run with Saha out for the next couple of weeks, I'd seriously consider giving them more playing time.

i Actually think Rooney needs to be under pressure by a quality player and by Fergie for his place in the team in order to develop

TeamSpirit wrote:

COTR wrote:does anyone REALLY think totti is world class though

Yes.

One vote

rooney has one as well

Totti has the same status amongst the Giallorosssi that Gerrard enjoys with the 'Pool fans.

So, IMO, it's more about Totti vs. Gerrard, than Wayne "Zero Goal" Rooney.

Besides, Gerrard hasn't won a League title yet, Totti has

*Awaits Istanbul references, and Roma only reaching the Knockout stages of the CL for only the 2nd time*

League record - good, but not exceptional

International record - average

European record - poor


Rooney is a typical English player, like Steven Gerrard (who wasn't close to World Class aged 21, and nor is Rooney) - excellent athletically (pace, strength, stamina - all very good), more than decent tactically (positioning, movement, timing all good and can improve) but average technically (dodgy shooting and passing, very inconsistent first touch).

So, he'll probably become another Gerrard. Just wait, we'll see a 2 second stepover any game now...

TeamSpirit wrote:

*Awaits Istanbul references, and Roma only reaching the Knockout stages of the CL for only the 2nd time*

Saints, I have to disagree with you there, I thought Gerrard was a GREAT young player when he was 21. Certainly better than Rooney is now. He just reached an early Plateau, IMO ability-wise.

He's versatile through his athleticism, more than his brain - which is the footy equivilaent of an impulsive child.

--------------------------------------

@ COTR - How about comparing the 2 at Intl. level.

TeamSpirit™ wrote:Saints, I have to disagree with you there, I thought Gerrard was a GREAT young player when he was 21. Certainly better than Rooney is now. He just reached an early Plateau, IMO ability-wise.

Well, Gerrard did some spectacular stuff at 20/21, no doubt there, but I did say he wasn't close to being World Class at 21, which is different. Of course, very few players have played more than 2 seasons of regular football by the time they are 21, whereas Rooney is in his 5th...

He's versatile through his athleticism, more than his brain - which is the footy equivilaent of an impulsive child.

Again, like Rooney. If Wayne could learn to play to his strengths, to sometimes just wait for the ball in good areas rather than charging back into the midfield all the time, he'd probably have a greater impact on games.

Indeed, and I think the Man U fans will testify to this, I believe that Rooney's best ever form for United was when he played as the main central striker in a 4-3-3 with Giggs and Ronaldo either side of him.

I spent my first days on 606 on the Utd board. Basically I started a "Rooney is overrated thread" everyday when Utd faced Milan in the UCL KO stages (that's why i've this username). I never had any doubt that he would never be "half as good as they thought he was going to be". I got answers like "He is better than Kaka, more gifted than Ronaldinho, etc". The fact is that Rooney shone against small countries or clubs (except Arsenal) and the press started to overhyping him. In Brazil several players shine at the age 19 but fail to live up the expectations of the public. I never thought that Rooney was talented enough to be the next big thing. He has potential to be world class one day, but he will never be as good as Ronaldinho, Zidane or Ronaldo at their peak. He is in bad form at this moment so the public tend to exaggerate their critics about him. They should understand that it's normal, players have ups and downs. IMO he is one of the best of the EPL. Not right now, obviously, but based on what he has done over the past 30 months.

sheva7 wrote:He is in bad form at this moment so the public tend to exaggerate their critics about him. They should understand that it's normal, players have ups and downs. IMO he is one of the best of the EPL. Not right now, obviously, but based on what he has done over the past 30 months.

The hype surrounding Rooney when he plays well and badly is far too much at times.

I wish he was Irish.

Is Rooney a choker? :p

Parks lives wrote:

I wish he was Irish.

*Robbie Keane = Republic of Ireland record Goalscorer -> 28 Goals!



Ireland don't need a misfiring petulant boy upfront.

He is not world class yet, but on his day is definately one of the best in prem. He is still only 21 but yet has scored winning goals against Arsenal and Liverpool on numerous occassions. He gets overhyped alot, but gets underated just as much.

He is playing badly at the moment, he is playing in Ronaldos shadow, but he will come good. All youngsters are inconsistent.

Rez wrote:All youngsters are inconsistent

Often forgotten with Rooney.

poiuy1 wrote:

Brian3-5-2 wrote:He may not be as fast as Saha but he has lots of pace, strength and stamina. Said this before. His terrier like attributes suit a role in the engine room of the team.. Destroying defensive midfielders the likes of Makelele and Gattuso. By chasing and husseling down and causing mayhem in front of top defences.. He feeds on confrontation not playing as a lonesome forward...As for his poor form this is in part caused by the boring positon he is expected to play.....

I can see him playing in midfield in the future however his poor form is nothing to do with his position he basically gets the most freedom out of anyone in the team, no excuses he's just Playing Shite

Rooney does not move around like he did last season. Up and down the middle yes but not like last year. Since RVN has left his role has changed. Man U let there players move around more specially Ronaldo and Giggs they have more freedom.

What most folks do and it is a big mistake to try and fit rooney into a certain mould. Who said just because you do not play football like the ball clever players Ronaldinho and now maybe Ronaldo you cannot be one of the worlds top players.....
He has the potential to bring a hole new position to the game that players mentioned above could only ever dream about doing.........

He is the new pele...

RickyWishYouAJollyNewYear wrote:He is the new pele...

If by 'pele' you mean 'overrated, limelight-seeking halfwit', then yes, I suppose I agree...

SGM wrote:

RickyWishYouAJollyNewYear wrote:He is the new pele...

If by 'pele' you mean 'overrated, limelight-seeking halfwit', then yes, I suppose I agree...

I don't think he will be world class, whatever that means, mainly because for his position you need consumate dribbling skills and the ability to consistently beat a man.

Brian, I really like your idea of Rooney performing the same function as Gattuso in the attacking third of the pitch.

I know a guy who is a defender and plays in Scotland who played against him on his debut for the Everton first team in a friendly. I believe Rooney scored a hattrick in that match. The guy I know said that even at sixteen Rooney was immensely strong and intimidating and it was just very difficult to defend against him.

He said Bellamy was a tougher opponent though!

For all those who think I am an Anti-English poster I voted for "Very Good player..."

RickyWishYouAJollyNewYear wrote:For all those who think I am an Anti-English poster I voted for "Very Good player..."

what category would u put steven gerrard MBE, crouch, lampard and terry into ricky ?

All very good players but they all lack something to join the category of the real legends....



And Rooney as well

The Bulk wrote:Brian, I really like your idea of Rooney performing the same function as Gattuso in the attacking third of the pitch.

I know a guy who is a defender and plays in Scotland who played against him on his debut for the Everton first team in a friendly. I believe Rooney scored a hattrick in that match. The guy I know said that even at sixteen Rooney was immensely strong and intimidating and it was just very difficult to defend against him.

He said Bellamy was a tougher opponent though!

Bulk....Rooney needs to be re-invented....If there is such a word and a possibility.

I voted 'world class' based on the simple fact that The Red Beast in undeniably world class!

N18WNG wrote:I voted 'world class' based on the simple fact that The Red Beast in undeniably world class!