Rooney believes that he has four to six years ahead of him for England.

That's the point. Those who are completely writing him off seem to be expecting those kind of stats. He's scoring pretty much 1 in 2 for club and country, consistently... Year on year. And that's ignoring the other benefits he brings to the team. In old money that's pretty impressive, in fact it still is.

I suppose it's inevitable that our 'star player' will get the brunt of the criticism when the team falters and he salary he's pocketing certainly doesn't help his cause. But to suggest he's worthy of the scrap heap is just short sighted. Again, name a player who would perform better for club or country in the next couple of seasons and I'd agree his place would be under threat but nobody is even knocking the door yet.

 

I'm not comparing them at all. I've said in other posts he's not in their league. But just like Jay said, people see him as our talisman and think he should be like them. When he first broke on the scene people thought he was going to be the World's best. He's not, but he's not the **** player people keep on saying.

 

He's **** when it matters for England. Not sure he was our best player against Uruguay either, although they were all poor so if he was it aint saying much. IMO the TEAM will and do perform better when he isn't involved. They look to him as the focus when he is there, and he regularly disappoints, when he isn't there others step up to the plate. If we are to play 1 up front that is going to be Sturridge, I don't think Rooney can play that position anymore, the man behind has got to be Barkley or Sterling. Then there's Ox and Walcott.

We don't need Shrek.

 

When does it matter for England? He's played two games, set up one goal and scored another.

Maybe you're right about the team, I dunno, but I'd be building my team around Rooney. Simple as.

 

Problem was that they did have two sitting occupying the same area and didn't have another midfielder to help them. Henderson wasn't pushed on enough and there was no one in the Coutinho role supporting. We were in effect 4-2-4 at times instead of the 4-3-3 which Henderson and Gerrard have been so effective for Liverpool. I imagine this ultimately boiled down to Wilshire's dire form meaning he was unpickable as the third player.

In Rooney's defence he did play well against Uruguay despite looking shot of confidence. Can't for a second think why that could be, anyone would think the media and fans had been on his back leading up to the tournament....

Some of the reactions to the players on the whole have been so over the top

 

Interesting points , although I think that's unfair on Liverpool's midfield. They let in a lot of goals because they played such attacking football with the full backs and midfield having complete freedom to push on. I don't think many midfielders would have solved that in their system. And in fairness lots of individual mistakes at the back (Toure and Skrtel had some right howlers) cost so many goals and points.

I actually think Henderson's red card against Chelsea cost them the title. He was the key in being able to attack and defend. The alternatives could only do one or the other either damaging stability or effecting creativity. They wouldn't have lost at Palace with him in the team IMO. Don't you think he's played well this world cup?

In terms of Gerrard, he's had an awful two games (how well did Uruguay use Cavani though to nullify him?) but who was the alternative holding midfielder? And a month ago he was being universally praised and making the Premier League team of the year, and he played that role really well throughout qualifying

 

Henderson has been our best player in the 2 games. I like him.

 

Think hes abart reight wi that statement.

 

Personally, I didn't see him do anything worth mentioning. Opinions, eh?

 

Like arseholes mate.

 

Don't get me wrong Gerrard was poor and didn't look himself, but I just didn't think he would be the player we'd be discussing as having disappointed. I know he's never shown the same form for England but he's never let us down.

All that said, I still don't think we've been that bad. I think we played far better than in 2010 and at least tried to retain the ball unlike in 2012. It would have been nice to have had the Ox and Walcott to have chucked on in both games.

 

Absolutely. Make or break year I reckon for Wilshire, he needs to get some core strength like Sterling and get back to pass and move instead of trying to do too much.

 

Lots of words about Whether or not Rooney should be in the England team or not.
Those that think he shouldn't I'm glad you have no say on who picks the England team.
I mix with people from all over the world and not one has had anything negative to say about him.
It's just the English way to put our own down I suppose.

 

Thought this was a World Cup too far for Gerrard who seemed drained after the end of the PL season.

 

Sadly I think injuries will get the better of him.