Wayne Rooney: Is this his year?

vijay · 18th August 2008, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooeat0meoo

I, agree with most of your post... (even though it comes across as the excuse de jour).

Although, I couldn't agree more with the ending... Rooney needs to stand alone in the assessment of his play. It is not fair to compare him to other players.

It all depends on the tinted specs fans choose to make use of.

Against Milan at home Rooney played arguably the greatest match of his career, he was shut down and marked out of the game completely yet he made the difference whenever he was able to find some space. A season before against Arsenal he touched the ball not more than 10 or 15 times yet he scored and created another. The temperament, decison making and skill are already there in place, its only the consistency that matters.

Rooney is gradually improving not stagnated yet his performance doesnt match some Little Englanders expectations who normally puts work ethic, drive and other crazy params over ball skills.

Also we are not the United three years back completely lacking shape in the midfield, expecting forwards to gallop from the halfway line and attack on breaks but a more settled team. If Rooney scores couple of goals and tries to win the ball back in the midfield, looney brigade would appreciate his work ethic even though its needless. If he fluffs some chances yet does some jockeying, the same brigade would question Fergie that his tactics dosent suit Rooney and argue he gave his heart and soul out.

United's style of football has changed over the last three years. We have Carrick, Scholes and Anderson who can brilliantly exploit possesion and don't require a forward to drop deep and sort it out in the middle. I am very much happy we are not seeing the old Rooney again. The team as a whole has improved so is Rooney.

Sam#1 · 18th August 2008, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

*rubs eyes*

Have I really stumbled across a discussion in which a Manchester United fan is trying to draw comparisons between Wayne Rooney and Robbie fucking Keane?

Jesus wept.

It's beggars belief, isn't it?

Dippersripper · 19th August 2008, 05:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

*rubs eyes*

Have I really stumbled across a discussion in which a Manchester United fan is trying to draw comparisons between Wayne Rooney and Robbie fucking Keane?

Jesus wept.

Dippersripper · 19th August 2008, 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Instant Karma

Playing alongside the likes of Ruud and Ronaldo is going to help Rooney's assist stats rather than Lennon or Mido. Rooney's assist record has dramatically jumped over the last couple of seasons with the rise in goal scoring from Ronaldo.

Can you prove that claim? Rooney's stats have fluctuated over the past three seasons with 05-06 being his best.

Dippersripper · 19th August 2008, 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by vijay

A player can run at defenders only if he has the ball at his feet and space to run. When Rooney supposedly was running at defenders our midfield was like Miller, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes - woefully out of form, Keane - throwing tantrums and with O'Shea in the mix it was plainly rubbish, unable to string three passes together and even midtable teams were running rings around them locking us in the back.

Rooney playing with Ruud, Park, Ronaldo and occasionally Neville moving upfront had to drop deep and whenever he received the ball he had the space to take on defenders and spray the ball upfront and pick out the lone forwards and also his best goals for United came only on counters breaking away from the midfield predominantly against lesser teams.

Once our midfield got settled we play possesion football with the stress more on ball retention and forwards job is more inclined towards reading the game and hitting the right pass not running around the park for 90 minutes. Rooney is still effective and gradually improving, but its some weird factors like tackling, covering every inch of the pitch, yelling(an interpretation to show passion) and other crap English footie fans normally use to rate even a creative player.

Another bull from Rooney fans is he is ineffective as he being played on the lateral side of the pitch but can play brilliantly as the support striker. But a support striker/withdrawn forward whatever they are should occasionaly drift wide and provide the width in both 4-3-3/4-4-1-1 whenever the fullback/winger cuts inside. Occasionally drifting wide and hitting crosses is something every other great withdrawn forward from Baggio to Ronaldinho excelled at. Even if played in a free role, its not table football a player glued exactly near the 20 yard box.

The only weakness in Rooneys game was lack of temperament or positional sense when marked by organized defending and he often runs in to blind alleys, it gets more clearcut whenever he drifts wide. It also gets apparent whenever he plays as a lone striker for England but he has also improved on that facet in the recent seasons. Milan-home he played as the striker, marked out of the game predominantly but when given half chance he notched up two goals.

Rooney as it is playing the game he knows best and if he stays injury free he has everything in him to attain greatness. Ronaldo having a great run dosent mean Rooney is mediocre or not up to the mark.

Well said Vijay

cesc's_mullet · 19th August 2008, 06:14

The answer is, yes.

TBH when playing United I'm more worried about Rooney than Ronaldo.

Alex · 19th August 2008, 06:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

The answer is, yes.

TBH when playing United I'm more worried about Rooney than Ronaldo.

Yeah Rooney tends to have more of an influence throughout the 90 minutes, but Ronaldo tends to have more of an impact on the scoreline

CantonaVeron · 19th August 2008, 07:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

*rubs eyes*

Have I really stumbled across a discussion in which a Manchester United fan is trying to draw comparisons between Wayne Rooney and Robbie fucking Keane?

Jesus wept.

I think the two posters in question would rather watch Arsenal than us to be honest. They'd rather us be managed by Scalari and have 11 South Americans in our first 11. Very strange. Rooney is essiential for us and will have an excellent season imo. On Sunday he was excellent for the first 30 minutes then faded which is not suprising considering he's missed a hudge chunk of pre-season. He created a great chance for Cambell with a excellent piece of skill, made Given make an excellent save and hardly lost the ball.

Our fans amaze me sometimes, some want rid of Ronaldo, some want rid of Rooney, Rio's escaped lately but no doubt he will be a target again soon. We should be grateful having these great players in the side, we would be a lot lesser team without Rooney and the same goes for Ronaldo.

A1Dan · 19th August 2008, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantonaVeron

I think the two posters in question would rather watch Arsenal than us to be honest. They'd rather us be managed by Scalari and have 11 South Americans in our first 11.

Because they're comparing Rooney with the famous Brazilian Robbie Keane?

What I can't believe is how wound up people get in these threads. I don't think a single person in this thread has said Keane is better, nor does pretty much any United fan think that.
But according to some of the thought police on here, that means you're not allowed to draw comparisons between them, or discuss their relative merits.

gaffs · 19th August 2008, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

The answer is, yes.

TBH when playing United I'm more worried about Rooney than Ronaldo.

He needs to shave it. It worked for Barthez.

Feed Me · 19th August 2008, 09:40

What can you even say about some of the comments made in this thread? Some of them are the height of knee-jerk reactions!

The player missed a few vital matches in pre season, right at the point where the players involved were really sharpening themselves up. Not only that, but as anyone who has suffered a virus will know, he will have lost a fair bit through that and it will have been a slog to have played 90 minutes of Premier League football.

I agree with Pogue that he was excellent for about half an hour as he was dropping into his central deep areas and playing some nice stuff. But as expected he ran out of gas and his performance became more ragged.

He'll get a run for England and then should be much more prepared for the Pompey game. He'll have Tevez back alongside him and that should be good news for us.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 19th August 2008, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadDogg

.......

He needs to learn that sometimes the selfish act of staying upfront and letting others do all the hard work, is in fact the least selfish.

Bingo

CantonaVeron · 20th August 2008, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1Dan

Because they're comparing Rooney with the famous Brazilian Robbie Keane?

I was talking in general about their views on Utd specifically their opinion that the grass is always greener else where, saying with this in mind you can't really be shocked they are comparing him to Robbie Keane, especially the stat king himself.

Whelan_88 · 20th August 2008, 14:28

He was fantastic for the first 20 minutes/half an hour on Sunday. Completly dictated the play. It was a joy to watch him playing in the hole behind the striker and controlling our play. It took the emphasis off Scholes and Carrick. After that he disappeared but that's understandable. It was touch and go if he was even going to make the game and then you have to consider that he and Campbell havn't had much playing time together. There were numerous occassions when they didn't read each others runs.

If we do sign a striker to play ahead of Wayne I do see this being is best year.

As for the Robbie Keane comparison. Wayne's a far more technical and intelligent player than Keane will ever be.

Striker10 · 20th August 2008, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whelan_88

He was fantastic for the first 20 minutes/half an hour on Sunday. Completly dictated the play. It was a joy to watch him playing in the hole behind the striker and controlling our play. It took the emphasis off Scholes and Carrick. After that he disappeared but that's understandable. It was touch and go if he was even going to make the game and then you have to consider that he and Campbell havn't had much playing time together. There were numerous occassions when they didn't read each others runs.

If we do sign a striker to play ahead of Wayne I do see this being is best year.

As for the Robbie Keane comparison. Wayne's a far more technical and intelligent player than Keane will ever be.

usually i'd be riled attacking an irish lad but fuck it, both are irish

I think most people agree if rooney can learn to mix his game and yes sometimes be selfish, cocky whatever - and stay away from injuries booom.

However, in the hole I think rooney has nothing much to prove. As a goalscorer sure but we know what waynes about and I think he'll eventually go on a run of scoring and hopefully he'll stay fit.

The rooney of a few years back is still our rooney. Just the injuries have shunted his development partly, but he'll do what he always does

Nanison · 20th August 2008, 16:13

We lost the game because Carrick got injured and Rooney ran out of gas. We were clearly battering Newcastle for half an hour.

Instant Karma · 20th August 2008, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1Dan

Because they're comparing Rooney with the famous Brazilian Robbie Keane?

What I can't believe is how wound up people get in these threads. I don't think a single person in this thread has said Keane is better, nor does pretty much any United fan think that.
But according to some of the thought police on here, that means you're not allowed to draw comparisons between them, or discuss their relative merits.

Well said !

The same posters who think Robbie Keane is so shite that you cant compare him with Rooney, made similar posts about Torres at the beginning of last season. In their own deluded world, it was impossible for Torres to be better finisher because he never had a great goal scoring record at an average team like Atletico. Some of them bet that he wouldn't score 10 goals a season and yet he has beaten Ruud's record for a debut season in lesser number of games.

Red442 · 20th August 2008, 17:42

This is his year. It's on!

Brwned · 20th August 2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Instant Karma

Well said !

The same posters who think Robbie Keane is so shite that you cant compare him with Rooney, made similar posts about Torres at the beginning of last season. In their own deluded world, it was impossible for Torres to be better finisher because he never had a great goal scoring record at an average team like Atletico. Some of them bet that he wouldn't score 10 goals a season and yet he has beaten Ruud's record for a debut season in lesser number of games.

The fact is, forgetting about stats, I don't think there is one area that Robbie Keane beats Rooney at. Or do you disagree? It should be quite clear Rooney is a much better player than Keane, even someone like GlastonSpur would probably say so.

Pogue Mahone · 20th August 2008, 17:50

And what the fuck has Robbie Keane got to do with Torres anyway?

Slevin · 20th August 2008, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

And what the fuck has Robbie Keane got to do with Torres anyway?

Something to do with a civil partnership or something?

Pogue Mahone · 20th August 2008, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slevin

Something to do with a civil partnership or something?

Maybe. Of course when a man (Keane) and a woman (Torres) get married, they can go for the whole church shebang, if they want.

Dippersripper · 21st August 2008, 02:02

How did he play in the England match?

ooeat0meoo · 21st August 2008, 04:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by vijay

It all depends on the tinted specs fans choose to make use of.

Against Milan at home Rooney played arguably the greatest match of his career, he was shut down and marked out of the game completely yet he made the difference whenever he was able to find some space. A season before against Arsenal he touched the ball not more than 10 or 15 times yet he scored and created another. The temperament, decison making and skill are already there in place, its only the consistency that matters.

Rooney is gradually improving not stagnated yet his performance doesnt match some Little Englanders expectations who normally puts work ethic, drive and other crazy params over ball skills.

Also we are not the United three years back completely lacking shape in the midfield, expecting forwards to gallop from the halfway line and attack on breaks but a more settled team. If Rooney scores couple of goals and tries to win the ball back in the midfield, looney brigade would appreciate his work ethic even though its needless. If he fluffs some chances yet does some jockeying, the same brigade would question Fergie that his tactics dosent suit Rooney and argue he gave his heart and soul out.

United's style of football has changed over the last three years. We have Carrick, Scholes and Anderson who can brilliantly exploit possesion and don't require a forward to drop deep and sort it out in the middle. I am very much happy we are not seeing the old Rooney again. The team as a whole has improved so is Rooney.

An even better perspective...

CantonaVeron · 21st August 2008, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Instant Karma

Well said !

The same posters who think Robbie Keane is so shite that you cant compare him with Rooney, made similar posts about Torres at the beginning of last season. In their own deluded world, it was impossible for Torres to be better finisher because he never had a great goal scoring record at an average team like Atletico. Some of them bet that he wouldn't score 10 goals a season and yet he has beaten Ruud's record for a debut season in lesser number of games.

You clearly are back to your looney ways IK you are more interested in other teams players than our own, of course they still have not to be English but thats just the usual. In a threat about Rooney instead of saying anything positive about him you bang on about two bin dippers, I guess Wenger took you out of his closet and chucked you into the scouse land bins unfortunatley Benetize must have been dipping around the same time.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 21st August 2008, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Instant Karma

Well said !

The same posters who think Robbie Keane is so shite that you cant compare him with Rooney, made similar posts about Torres at the beginning of last season. In their own deluded world, it was impossible for Torres to be better finisher because he never had a great goal scoring record at an average team like Atletico. Some of them bet that he wouldn't score 10 goals a season and yet he has beaten Ruud's record for a debut season in lesser number of games.

good post

Dippersripper · 21st August 2008, 16:10

Robbie Keane is a top player, but Rooney is a level above. Berbatov and Rooney will be much better than Berbatov and Robbie.

19th August 2008, 06:14	#206 (permalink)
cesc's_mullet Get a haircut Hippy! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: i gotta do something important so people will respect me… like be a senator… or a wizard Posts: 9,717	Is this the year.... he goes bald? The answer is, yes. TBH when playing United I'm more worried about Rooney than Ronaldo.

19th August 2008, 09:40	#211 (permalink)
Feed Me bobbobray - hits women. Big man Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Berbatov has Cantona’s knack of being the man amid a stampede towards the door who stops to notice a side exit that nobody else has seen. Posts: 9,292	What can you even say about some of the comments made in this thread? Some of them are the height of knee-jerk reactions! The player missed a few vital matches in pre season, right at the point where the players involved were really sharpening themselves up. Not only that, but as anyone who has suffered a virus will know, he will have lost a fair bit through that and it will have been a slog to have played 90 minutes of Premier League football. I agree with Pogue that he was excellent for about half an hour as he was dropping into his central deep areas and playing some nice stuff. But as expected he ran out of gas and his performance became more ragged. He'll get a run for England and then should be much more prepared for the Pompey game. He'll have Tevez back alongside him and that should be good news for us.

20th August 2008, 14:28	#214 (permalink)
Whelan_88 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 795	He was fantastic for the first 20 minutes/half an hour on Sunday. Completly dictated the play. It was a joy to watch him playing in the hole behind the striker and controlling our play. It took the emphasis off Scholes and Carrick. After that he disappeared but that's understandable. It was touch and go if he was even going to make the game and then you have to consider that he and Campbell havn't had much playing time together. There were numerous occassions when they didn't read each others runs. If we do sign a striker to play ahead of Wayne I do see this being is best year. As for the Robbie Keane comparison. Wayne's a far more technical and intelligent player than Keane will ever be.

20th August 2008, 16:13	#216 (permalink)
Nanison Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	We lost the game because Carrick got injured and Rooney ran out of gas. We were clearly battering Newcastle for half an hour.

20th August 2008, 17:42	#218 (permalink)
Red442 Last Man Standing Champion Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here> Posts: 1,463	This is his year. It's on!

20th August 2008, 17:50	#220 (permalink)
Pogue Mahone Dr Death wasting tax payers money on the Caf all day Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: "As relaxed and natural on the park as a dog chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind" Posts: 16,186	And what the fuck has Robbie Keane got to do with Torres anyway?

21st August 2008, 02:02	#223 (permalink)
Dippersripper Educating ignorant bastards about God to achieve a near-perfect world Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reason is an excuse for faith. Faith is everything. Please don't take, My Fletcher, Away..... Posts: 10,262	How did he play in the England match?

21st August 2008, 16:10	#227 (permalink)
Dippersripper Educating ignorant bastards about God to achieve a near-perfect world Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reason is an excuse for faith. Faith is everything. Please don't take, My Fletcher, Away..... Posts: 10,262	Robbie Keane is a top player, but Rooney is a level above. Berbatov and Rooney will be much better than Berbatov and Robbie.