PTME
Reserve Team Player
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2003
- Messages
- 2,644
He's actually declining since his debut.
Discuss.
PTME
Discuss.
PTME
Disagree. He improved immensely for a year or 2 and has declined since then imo.He's actually declining since his debut.
Discuss.
PTME
He's actually declining since his debut.
Discuss.
PTME
I basically agree, up until his injury against Chelsea at the end of 05/06 he was just getting better and better.Disagree. He improved immensely for a year or 2 and has declined since then imo.
Still a top top player though and has suffered because of where he's been asked to play.
if he had improved game after game, he'd be scoring a hattrick every minute by now!
he scored a hattrick on debut - do you expect one from him every game?
Very true. He was brilliant that season.Succinct and accurate. Up until his injury against Chelsea at the end of 05/06 he was just getting better and better.
In his defense though, he shouldn't have really played in that game. He was rushed back and you could tell.His performance against Newcastle will go down as one of the worrst performances in recent United history.
In all fairness, I'd have to agree.In his defense though, he shouldn't have really played in that game. He was rushed back and you could tell.
A different character would have just said no, i've been ill and i'll come back when im ready. But we were thin on the ground and he stepped up. He should be credited for that.
Besides, had Campbell scored Rooney would have had a glorious assist as that cross with the outside of his boot was sublime.
I actually don't think he's "so young" anymore. Footballers nowadays tend to peak much earlier than they used to.His overall game has improved. His passing, reading of the game and decision-making are absolutely fantastic for someone so young.
I thinks he's falling behind Tevez.Actually I think he's on the tip to becoming our most important player this season. Mark my words, United 08-09 will be Rooneys season.
His performance against Newcastle will go down as one of the worrst performances in recent United history.
Tevez is improving at an absolutely collosal rate, so even if this were true, it would hardly be a disgrace.I thinks he's falling behind Tevez.
It happened to Giggs. He lost some of his explosiveness as he became more rounded, but he rediscovered it as he entered his prime. Hopefully Rooney follows the same trajectory.His overall game has improved. His passing, reading of the game and decision-making are absolutely fantastic for someone so young.
What he has lost, it's true, is some of his explosiveness. I think the repeated foot injuries have cost him a small amount of pace, but he may get that back. It's more psychological than that... he's become less individualistic and slightly less confident than he was when he first came through. One thing's for sure, when he thinks he's an excellent player, when he relies on natural instinct he's an incredible player.
I'd love to see him pick the ball up, turn, just barrel through a couple of defenders and spank it from twenty-five yards, like he used to. But these days he's much more likely to look for a sensible option. Maybe he idolises Scholesy too much? Or maybe it's all the games played out of position that have blunted his natural exuberance? Or maybe it's just a normal part of a great player's learning and development.
I disagree. Theres no denying that Tevez is a good player, but what has he done pre season or last night? He drops far too deep during matches and that always leaves our main striker isolated (Rooney last night).I thinks he's falling behind Tevez.
A quick look at the MoM thread proves that a lot of Caftards think that he was the best man on the pitch agains Pompey.I disagree. Theres no denying that Tevez is a good player, but what has he done pre season or last night? He drops far too deep during matches and that always leaves our main striker isolated (Rooney last night).
But don't worry, i'll make sure I bring this thread back up in a few weeks time when Roon has beaten Chelsea and them Scousers.
Second best player in pre-season after Scholes and was most people's man of the match last night. He's absolutely flying at the moment and I can see him stepping up above Rooney into the Ronaldo/Ferdinand level this season.I disagree. Theres no denying that Tevez is a good player, but what has he done pre season or last night?
Which I think is wrong. Apart from dancing around in midfield what did Tevez do last night that actually threatened the Portsmouth goal? The only end product I can think of is the lay off to Evra that setup Fletchers goal.A quick look at the MoM thread proves that a lot of Caftards think that he was the best man on the pitch agains Pompey.
Good post Plech. Regarding his explosiveness, it comes with having a better football brain. Happened with Giggs, and also Michael Owen.His overall game has improved. His passing, reading of the game and decision-making are absolutely fantastic for someone so young.
What he has lost, it's true, is some of his explosiveness. I think the repeated foot injuries have cost him a small amount of pace, but he may get that back. It's more psychological than that... he's become less individualistic and slightly less confident than he was when he first came through. One thing's for sure, when he thinks he's an excellent player, when he relies on natural instinct he's an incredible player.
I'd love to see him pick the ball up, turn, just barrel through a couple of defenders and spank it from twenty-five yards, like he used to. But these days he's much more likely to look for a sensible option. Maybe he idolises Scholesy too much? Or maybe it's all the games played out of position that have blunted his natural exuberance? Or maybe it's just a normal part of a great player's learning and development.
37 goals between them last season, neither of them take penaltys or free kicks. Pretty impressive especially when you consider both of them take on a lot of extra work last year to accomodate Ronaldo's advanced positions.Well both Tevez and Rooney aren't dangerous enough in front of goal, they hardly take a shot.
I would agree that Rooney declined a bit. He was phenomenal in his first 2 years. Now he is just a very hard worker.
He did okay yesterday but definately no MOM appearance.
Still got hopes to see the old Wayne
Yes, a balance would be good. He's not Scholesy, he's a more dynamic player. He shouldn't be playing the percentages as much - we've got plenty of players to do that. He should be rampaging, that's what terrifies defences. But it's true that defences don't stand still, they work out ways to play you, that's what's happened and like Giggsy he's adapting.Good post Plech. Regarding his explosiveness, it comes with having a better football brain. Happened with Giggs, and also Michael Owen.
This might sound obvious, but he is now a lot more aware of what is happening around him and is trained to pick the best option, which is rarely a low-percentage charge into the box and shoot scenario. Maybe he needs to strike a balance between the two.
All that said, I'm not really concerned about his progress. I think he'll reach another 'Eureka' moment soon in his development and will move onto the next level.
EDIT: People generally remember his early years far too fondly. All the best bits are recalled effortlessly, all other times are forgotten.
Right because you know exactly what people remember or don't remember.EDIT: People generally remember his early years far too fondly. All the best bits are recalled effortlessly, all other times are forgotten.
In ten years he'll look like Johnny Depp and play like Dirk Kuyt.
I'm hoping part of his dynamism will return if we sign Berbatov, at the moment he is playing with his back to goal as the furthest man forward whereas if he is playing behind a Saha/Berbatov then he is attacking the ball (and the defenders) from deep and at pace.Yes, a balance would be good. He's not Scholesy, he's a more dynamic player. He shouldn't be playing the percentages as much - we've got plenty of players to do that. He should be rampaging, that's what terrifies defences. But it's true that defences don't stand still, they work out ways to play you, that's what's happened and like Giggsy he's adapting.
It's the confidence that's a slight worry. He used to be bursting with it. Now he seems alternately muted and frustrated. He needs a run of goals. All close season I was convinced that this time he'd get a proper pre-season in and come out all guns blazing. Fat chance.
Has anyone noticed he's getting less and less ugly? Maybe this needs to be stopped, it's affecting his game. In ten years he'll look like Johnny Depp and play like Dirk Kuyt.