Hafnia

Gerrard 2012 - dragged us to the quarter finals basically. Rooney isn't a scapegoat, his level of performance for England is not near his club level. Of all other players, you can say that their international perfromance levels at least mirror their clubs, not Rooney, he looks a different player.

"work rate" needs to be productive. In his 5k plus running - where was he when Baines was continually exposed by 2 men? He has a 25% success in his duels being won - Poor, very poor.

Cannavaro isn't exactly the pundit who I would listen to regarding Rooney - I wasn't aware of him playing against rooney in a number of years, Rooney is the most marketed and hyped England player. I'll ask a question, "when was the last time you seen Wayne Rooney play well in a major international competition?" Go back to 2004 when he was a raw, energetic, player who had something to prove. He did prove he was a quality player. Since then for me he has rested on the repuatation he built up, he believes he should be the first name on the sheet and that arrogance shows despite his form and fitness supporting it. Put him on the bench - wound him, make him know his £300k a week deal means nothing - performances count. That is the only way we will get to see that quality Wayne Rooney.

Work rate at international level must be aligned to the strategy and shape of the team. For Rooney "work rate" meant he was running out of position for selfish reasons. He made it clear that he didn't enjoy being on the left... spoilt brat behaviour. Is he still the best player England have got? For me no. Sturridge out performs him up front - more pace, movement, finishing. Its clear he can't play on the left - play lallana there or Milner.

The fact he covered over 5km in first half? For a player on the flank that is the expected distance. It was how he covered that distance, as above he was positionally ill disciplined - that for me can be filed under work rate... did he cover the ground doing what he was meant to do? Did he cover that ground at a sprint when he was needed to sprint? For me he was way off the pace, nothing at all in his legs in terms of explosiveness. However.... the argument is this "why does hodgson play an unfit player in a position where he needs to be at his best physically to play" - it was square pegs round holes, something we were used to under Moyes. “We know we can play Wayne in many different positions and I think he has to be pretty satisfied with his performance,” said Hodgson. "It's looking for things to suggest he didn't do well in that position because I think he did." Complete nonsense. The only reason Rooney may get a start against Uraguay is because he is Wayne Rooney. Anyone watch the second goal from our corner? Ball played to back post, one of our men was blocked from getting backwards to it, and Rooney just kinda let it sail over his head without even attempting to get anything on it. The break up field, Baines exposed, cross in, goal.

At his best Rooney is a very good player. However he is nowhere near his best, he's not fit, he is making poor choices pressured by his need to score. I think the team would be better without him.

A decent fella and I wish him well.

Rooney was fooking awful last night... Let's just leave it at that. Rooney played like an overweight Sunday league player. His arrogance is astounding. Selfish decisions, poor work rate. .

Tim!!!! Do one!

Got Alexis Sanchez first goal and 2-0 and 3-0., seems I needed to go higher. Sit back lads.

Complete and utter joke the refereeing last night - sorry but it was as close to corrupt as i've seen. The ref was that fearful of making an error on a 50/50 decision in favour of Croatia that he assigned a 70/30 mindset to Brazil - and boy did they take advantage of that, throwing themselves over, play acting, throwing elbows the lot.

I'm just trying to think of whether front row seats to "Dream boats and petticoats" is gonna swing it for Bill with a man who could just buy all the theaters in london and turn them into Charity shops just for something to do.

I always smile when I hear his name, if ever a footballer sounded like a brick layer it's him. In fact any footballers called "Geoff" make me laugh, Geoff Horsfield, even Geoff Hurst - if i'm off the loo I will often say "Just going for a quick Geoff Hurst".

Bilyaltdinov & Gueye = Two players recommended to Moyes by other managers who never felt they were good enough to sign themselves.... In Gueyes case, Gerrrard "Bruno Cheyrou is the next Zidane" Houllier....

That sky... you just cant beat the alps.

"We would love to have him back and people at Chelsea are good friends of mine so we are hopeful." I'm not too sure thats how it works Bill, Chelsea Friend:- "Hi Roman, just got off the phone to Bill Kenwright, he's a cracking fella he gives me comp tickets to the shows in the west end and he really does tell some crackin stories, thing is he wants to buy Lukaku, he is offering £12m plus £8m over the next 20 years, I know that you have had a £22m cash offer from a club that we wouldn't have to compete against in the league but what do you say???" Roman:- "Ты уволен"

I just knew before we signed him that he really was the man for Everton. Special managers can define clubs far more than any one player ever could. Too many thought he was some gung ho delusioned manager just obsessed with pretty football. I looked at what he was trying to do with players less technically capable than our own and he actually mmade them look better players. With Moyes watching Everton was like being at the airport waiting to go on holiday to the carribean with a group of boring sods, you look over at the happy cheery family who are off to Majorca and kinda wish yhou were with them. Psychologically he is a genius - he makes players want him to succeed, he makes them feel a part of something even if not playing, look at Oviedo, Naismith, Gerry, McGeady - all had big stints on the bench but came in with a brilliant attitude to help the team out. Some managers don't get that from their players - there is a divide. He cultures atogetherness with a large number of players, Moyes did this better with a resatricted group - more siege mentality. Moyes worked well with a siege mentality thats all and well - it relates to the feeling of defiance whilst being oppressed, however it leaves the players believing that they are actually lesser and have something to prove. Martinez works with "Sin Miedo" - without fear.... arrogance, as if to say "who do you think you are? - lets see how you like a bit of this" its infectious. It would be very interesting to see how he would manager this England Squad, more to the point I kinda wish he was as a "favour" and then returns back to us...

Great stuff.

I reckon it is the name, he doesn't like journos asking him to release Ross.... Next thing you know they will ask him to welease wodgor

I will say this, fellaini first touch is pretty good.

Got scrappers on this forum, the boys kick arse.

Before the injury people had a melt down about £6m being spent on a player that we can't sell for a profit. Dirk kuyt wasn't a player you would associate would get a team into champions league however he scored one of the most valuable goals against liege. We need 4 strikers, he is good enough and a smart buy at £6m. If Martinez seen enough of McCarthy to justify £13m then I trust he knows £6m was a good price for Kone.

I'd drop Rooney. In manaus he is gonna struggle big time, play the young lads with legs and fitness, wellbeck, sturridge, sterling, Barkley.

I'm having a £10 e/w bet on Chile. Argentina will win it, aguero top goalscorer

He is a good forward with a decent goals to games ratio, pace, can dribble, holds up the ball, and scored more goals for a relegated team than any of our players in the same season. You would think we've paid £35m for Andy Carroll. In less than 90 minutes total play he's been slated big time for 2 misses, the one that hit the post was a good effort and unlucky. I'm sure I could do a 90 minute compilation of lukakus impressions of a Sunday league footballer.