Rooney's Injury...how the other teams see it.

[nickolicious027]

From a football fan's point of view this is an untimely and unfortunate injury for Wayne.A footballer's playing time before a major tournament as the World Cup is left soley up to the discression of the club manager.
In this case Fergie wanted to make statement for the next season, and he definitely wouldn't have left Rooney on the bench for such a big game.

That aside....the other Group B teams are more than likely "winin down de place" at their apparent good fortune.(Let's face it, a Rooneyless England seem less threatening now).

I personally would like to see T&T match up against a full strength England squad...I'm sure Yorke & company would concur.But in terms of our chances for the second round.....boy....it cyar have ah better chance for we to get tru.:D

[GodOnEarth18]

Englad does seem a bit less scary, but i feel their still the team to beat in this group. I think the group will be decided on how the other teams fare against one another....England will be fine....I myself can't wait for that crucial Paraguay-Sweeden match:cool:

[Big balls]

I don't care a whole lot. I think Rooney is very hyped to be honest. I don't mean to stir up trouble but that's my honest opinion. England will be weaker without him but I think I prefer that Rooney is on the pitch for the game against Sweden. The thing I fear for is England's midfield and especially Gerrard.

[Jahaja]

I don't care a whole lot. I think Rooney is very hyped to be honest. I don't mean to stir up trouble but that's my honest opinion. England will be weaker without him but I think I prefer that Rooney is on the pitch for the game against Sweden. The thing I fear for is England's midfield and especially Gerrard.

The press says today that Roony will at least be gone for the whole group play.
As i am swedish, i don't know if i'm glad of it or not :rolleyes:

[three lions]

I don't care a whole lot. I think Rooney is very hyped to be honest. I don't mean to stir up trouble but that's my honest opinion. England will be weaker without him but I think I prefer that Rooney is on the pitch for the game against Sweden. The thing I fear for is England's midfield and especially Gerrard.

Your damn right he is hyped.. He is one of the best players in the world, and better than anyone on your squad...Including Zlatan..

[GRBomber]

Rooney would most likely play if England were to face Brazil and I'm happy about that.
We have to beat the best. Winning over a crippled opponent is not that rewarding.
I hope he recovers well.

[Lancashire Lad]

I don't care a whole lot. I think Rooney is very hyped to be honest. I don't mean to stir up trouble but that's my honest opinion. England will be weaker without him but I think I prefer that Rooney is on the pitch for the game against Sweden. The thing I fear for is England's midfield and especially Gerrard.

Seen Rooney in real life on the pitch and on TV, and hes the real deal. Not over hyped, hes just very good.

Not sure about the Pele comparisons, but then I never watched Pele when he was 20.

[Pigs]

Seen Rooney in real life on the pitch and on TV, and hes the real deal. Not over hyped, hes just very good.

Not sure about the Pele comparisons, but then I never watched Pele when he was 20.
The good thing about Rooney not being there, is that the other teams don't know that England are going to play this formation.


------------------ROBINSON---------------
-----------------------------------------
NEVILLE-----FERDINAND----TERRY-----A.COLE
-----------------------------------------
BECKHAM-----LAMPARD---GERRARD------J.COLE
-----------------------------------------
------------OWEN-------ROONEY------------


Since it was so obvious, that the above would have been the starting line-up. And Lampard and Gerrard would have played in a flat midfield, even though it looks really good on paper. They can't play together like that.

There is a plus in Rooney being injured.
1) Opponents don't know what tactics or what players Sven will use now.
2.) Gerrard and Lampard might actually fit into a midfield were they can play together.
3.) Gerrard might be used as an attacking player. He's used as an attacking midfielder for Liverpool, but never for England. That's why he's always performed like a world class player for Liverpool and just average for England.

The other thing, is that it looks like Carragher is going to be used as a holding midfielder, right infront of Ferdinand and Terry. So Englands defence is immedietely going to be stronger.

Infact Sven will most probably play this formation.......

------------------ROBINSON---------------
-----------------------------------------
NEVILLE-----FERDINAND----TERRY-----A.COLE
-----------------------------------------
---------------CARRAGHER-----------------
BECKHAM--------LAMPARD------------J.COLE
----------------------GERRARD-----------
---------OWEN---------------------------


With a view of putting 10ft Croach on to change the game.

The other thing is that although Rooney can change a game, he's not an all out striker. Englands goals have come from the midfield, and with Lampard and Gerrard being able to go forward more, (since there's 90% chance Sven will use a holding midfielder behind them, enabling them to go forward) then it's a big plus for ENgland in that department.

[Lancashire Lad]

mmm Sven played that against Hungry. Carradona not a holding midfield player.

Bring on Carrick.

[three lions]

mmm Sven played that against Hungry. Carradona not a holding midfield player.

Bring on Carrick.

I agree about Carragher not being well- suited for the holding midfielder role..
How would a line-up like this work?

---------------------Robinson-----------------------

G. Neville-------Terry---------Campbell-----------A. Cole

----------------------Ferdinand--------------------

Becks-------------------------------------------J. Cole

----------------------Lampard--------------------

--------------------Gerrard-----------------------

----------------------------Owen-------------------

[Big balls]

Rooney would most likely play if England were to face Brazil and I'm happy about that.
We have to beat the best. Winning over a crippled opponent is not that rewarding.
I hope he recovers well.

Exactly!!!

I think the guy is hyped, well to be balanced here, only English people believe he's the best thing since Pele but I want him to be on the pitch because whatever the result is, I don't want to hear any apologies such as "If only Rooney was there we would've scored an additional 3 goals" etc.. Now if it was Brazil and we were talking about Ronaldinho when they were facing Sweden then I wish he broke his leg ;) but Rooney, I want him to be in the starting 11 against the game against Sweden. Englands top team vs. Swedens

[Big balls]

Your damn right he is hyped.. He is one of the best players in the world, and better than anyone on your squad...Including Zlatan..


Mmmhmm, dream on. Owen and Rooney is most likely the weakest forward pair of all top teams. Larsson and Zlatan is far superior. If England wins, which you might, it'll be because of the midfield, freekicks and serving balls on a silver platter for Owen and Rooney (or Crouch if Rooney can't play)

[sinner78]

Mmmhmm, dream on. Owen and Rooney is most likely the weakest forward pair of all top teams.

tell that to argentina.
we sliced them to pieces with those two up front.
And we all know argentina is far above sweden.
if you regard that as a "weak pairing" then you are clearly not too clued up on footballing matters.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkpv-vCobjA


Larsson and Zlatan is far superior.


When did that combination ever beat anybody worthwhile?
sweden didnt even win their group in qualifying.
Zlatan seems to be an unpopular figure among juve fans.
They dont like his limp wristed displays in the CL.

Larsson is alright but zlatan is nothing.