Rooney possible ***spoilers***

[May261999]

UK folks, updates PLEASE!!!!!:(

[Harv]

We live in the world of the internet...

As soon as something is revealed, the whole world will know...not just those residing in the UK...

[May261999]

We live in the world of the internet...

As soon as something is revealed, the whole world will know...not just those residing in the UK...
Yeah, but I figured you guys would have far better coverage, since this is HUGE for England's chances.

[chriswvtr]

All I know is he's having an x-ray and we'll find out tomorrow whether its a metatarsal or not then :(

Fucking Owen limped off too :(

[AmplifiedtoRock]

England fears over Rooney & Owen

England have new injury worries over first-choice World Cup strike duo Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
Rooney was stretchered off late in Man Utd's defeat at Chelsea after injuring the same foot he broke at Euro 2004.

"It's a sore one but we will just have have to wait and see," Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

And Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder revealed Owen was "not 100% happy" with his foot injury after he returned as a substitute at Birmingham.

Rooney, 20, left Stamford Bridge on crutches, with the countdown already on for England's opening World Cup game against Paraguay on 10 June, six weeks away.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho spoke to a United official and gave England hope when he claimed: "They said it's no problem for the World Cup."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was more guarded about the injury.

"There's no point in making assertions at the moment," he said.

"When a player is taken off you are always concerned. We've had quite a few bad injuries this season but, hopefully, Wayne is not a bad one."

Rooney is seen as being key to England's hopes at the World Cup in Germany and any concerns over his fitness would add to England manager Eriksson's injury worries.

The fears over Rooney were made worse when Roeder revealed concerns about Owen after he came on for 30 minutes at St Andrews, his first appearance since breaking his foot at Spurs on New Year's Eve.

After Owen limped off at the final whistle, Roeder said: "He had the best part of half an hour and when he came in afterwards he was a little bit concerned. He wasn't quite 100% happy with it.

The thought of Rooney and Owen not being in the World Cup for England is not worth thinking about

Newcastle caretaker-boss Glenn Roeder

"There was no sharp pain or anything - he described it as dull. He was honest with the medical team in saying he was not 100%.

"I would understand Newcastle and England supporters being a bit more concerned than Michael, but that is to be understood with what unluckily happened to Wayne."

He added: "The medical department will decide over the weekend what the next step will be.

"Michael is not 100% happy with his foot. But I have to emphasise he is not that concerned.

"He told me he felt some discomfort when he wheeled away after five or six minutes."

The fitness of the strikers will be England and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's prime concern over the next few weeks, but there are other doubts too.

Arsenal central defender Sol Campbell has only just returned after a lengthy spell out while team-mate Ashley Cole is fit again but has not played any first-team football.

England and Chelsea centre-back John Terry also picked up an injury in his side's 3-0 win over United but he soldiered on until the end of the game which assured the Blues of the Premiership title.

United right-back Gary Neville also appeared to be hobbling and may yet develop into another concern for Eriksson.
Unlucky day for England. All fingers crossed hoping for good news tonight or tomorrow.

[chriswvtr]

Doesn't matter, we've got Crouchinho :D

[gunnersfan]

hope hes back soon!!!!!!!!!

[Harv]

With Owen and Rooney fit, I like our chances...

If both are out injured, especially Rooney, then my heart is going to start beating a little faster...

Here's hoping that both are fit by June 10th...and add Ashley Cole and Ledley King to that list as well!!!

[AmplifiedtoRock]

It's funny, watching the Chelsea v. United match I was thinking about how vital Joe Cole is going to be this summer. An hour later and it looks like he may be more important than I thought. Yeah, Crouchy's going to be huge. I mean...wait...

[Dirtycheat]

really really gutted, ferriera should be punished severly

[trek900]

I or Vidic will punish Ferriera, just wait.
But Crouchinho will be World Cup Hero:D alone up front.

[ELLADA]

Oh man, now I really feel bad for not betting on Sweden & Paraguay to advance...

[lessavyfav]

really really gutted, ferriera should be punished severly

punished for what, a fair tackle that even fergie had no complaints about?

[Harv]

Oh man, now I really feel bad for not betting on Sweden & Paraguay to advance...

You can still make that bet if you want to lose your money...:mad:

[ELLADA]

You can still make that bet if you want to lose your money...:mad:
HA! England is my shock surprise exit in the first round - bank on it :)

[chriswvtr]

Wasn't Ferrieras fault, although is kinda ironic that he's Portugese :eek:

[west501]

punished for what, a fair tackle that even fergie had no complaints about?

yeah man
in england you can hack the players leg off with an axe and it ain't a foul if he touches even a bit of the ball
so don't start complaining about it now

[chriswvtr]

yeah man
in england you can hack the players leg off with an axe and it ain't a foul if he touches even a bit of the ball
so don't start complaining about it now


Unlike in SOME places where the players constantly go down when they don't even get touched :rolleyes:

[west501]

Unlike in SOME places where the players constantly go down when they don't even get touched :rolleyes:

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/gallery/2002/06/07/owen.jpg

[ELLADA]

HAHAHAHA - now that's funny!

[Harv]

HA! England is my shock surprise exit in the first round - bank on it :)

Why don't you put your money where your mouth is...I often party in Montreal so I would have no trouble coming to collect...

And England may be YOUR shock surprise exit, but I highly doubt you're qualified to make such absurd predictions...

I also notice that you're an Italy supporter as well now...how do you rate their chances?? I assume you think they'll breeze through the group stages...

[randy420]

As much as it would cripple england's chances, I wouldn't be too angry to see Rooney miss the World Cup. He'd come back fit for us next season, plus it would be a nice big F You to all the people who hate him, and lie about his personal life 330 days of the year are then turn around and want him to do so well for 'them' in an England shirt.

[ELLADA]

Why don't you put your money where your mouth is...I often party in Montreal so I would have no trouble coming to collect...
You'll find me on Saint-Laurent this summer :)

On the topic, I propose we hold a MaXxed WC pool... MaXxed receives a cut from the $ for expenses and I will receive the rest as the winner.

And England may be YOUR shock surprise exit, but I highly doubt you're qualified to make such absurd predictions...I will help you on that, I have 0 qualifications.. although I did bet on Greece beating Portugal, the first game at least :)

I also notice that you're an Italy supporter as well now...how do you rate their chances?? I assume you think they'll breeze through the group stages...Of course Italy will suffer, they are perennially slow starters. Sometimes, they start so damn slow that they never make it out of the group stages, they are always good at dropping at least 3 points... But Italy will win the World Cup, it is so damn obvious. Can't you see it? :)

[thorchr]

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho spoke to a United official and gave England hope when he claimed:
"They said it's no problem for the World Cup."
Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4957970.stm)

[lessavyfav]

update, doesnt look good, the good old metatarsal..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=366280&cc=5901

[randy420]

out for six weeks apparently. would put it at June 10th exactly.

[tringo99]

Wow, this is a shockingly bad day for me now. Rooney was England's "great hope" and without him the entire team will be affected hugely.

I don't really know what else to say, I really thought this might be the year that England won it, but I just can't see that happening without Roon-aldo.

[madtroll]

I knew the blame for Chelsea would start rolling in for this, but for the benefit of those who didn't see the match, Ferreira did nothing wrong.

http://bigup.ca/footie/divingfordummies.jpg

[randy420]

I've not yet seen it, but by all accounts, ferreria's challenge was perfectly legal

[tywyn]

I can't see him playing at all in the World Cup. The last time he broke the metatarsal he was out for 3 months. It's not only a shame for the player, but for England and for football itself. In fact and Hansen and Lawrenson just said on MOTD that he has virtually no chance.

[Harv]

The last time he broke a bone in his foot, it was 10 weeks before he played again...

Englands first game is exactly six weeks from now but we have a pretty easy group with Trinidad, Paraguay and Sweden not exactly world beaters (so we should still be able to win the group with the players we have)...

That would make our game on June 25 (8 weeks from now) a good target for his return...of course all of this simply conjecture, as we don't know how quickly or slowly he will heal or if any further complications occur over the next 6 weeks...

[kidujp]

really really gutted, ferriera should be punished severly

He did nothing wrong...perfectly legal tackle. It was just one of those days.

I was hoping to see Rooney play in the WC but that seems to be over now. Any one with a broken foot before...even a hairline fracture knows that you are not going to play serious football in 6 weeks...let alone WC football. If at all he gets back, that will fuck up his rest of the career. It's just bad bad luck.

BUT...

WTF was newcastle doing with Owen on the field. What were they trying to prove??? The season is over and all they had to do was let him train slowly than rushing him to play a f*** all match of no consequence. just makes you wonder if some of these people have a brain.

[tywyn]

No actually it was over 13 weeks not 10 weeks. Injured 24/6/04 for England v Portugal and made his debut for Manchester United against Fenerbahçe on 28/9/04, a period of 96 days.

[Harv]

Owen said that he had been training full tilt and hadn't felt any pain...then he plays in a match and says he felt some discomfort while accelerating (after only 6 minutes on the pitch)...once again this morons love for playing for England has clouded his mind...

Also today, Terry and Neville were seen limping at the end of the game...Ashley Cole has played next to no time since October, Sol Campbell has become a nut case and only returned from injury and Wayne Bridge has been playing for Fulham with a tight hamstring (which is not what you want when playing against the more skilled sides in the WC because they will expose that type of injury in a heartbeat)...

Let's hope that some of these players get back to their best in the next 6 weeks...

As for the Rooney layoff before, you may be right...I was just going by this article: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=366280&cc=5901

[May261999]

F***!!!!! :mad: :(

Take him, I say. I think it's worth the risk. June 30 or July 1.......quarterfinal date. 9 weeks. It could happen.

[randy420]

F***!!!!! :mad: :(

Take him, I say. I think it's worth the risk. June 30 or July 1.......quarterfinal date. 9 weeks. It could happen.
worth the risk? fuck that! that's complete nonsense. If you take him and play him when he's not 100% fit, you risk injuring him even worse and he may miss the first part of next season. fuck that. stay home and rest and come back raring to go for 06-07

[May261999]

The "alternatives" for England are hardly that. And as much of a United fan as I am, I'm also thinking primarily about ENGLAND'S chances.

[footyfreak007]

HAHAHAHAH.....The FA get what they deserve. The Scolari ordeal and now the Rooney injury.

Dont f*** with Maxxed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[randy420]

The "alternatives" for England are hardly that. And as much of a United fan as I am, I'm also thinking primarily about ENGLAND'S chances.

Between United and England, I say fuck England. United comes before England any time. I don't want to see Rooney rushed to play in the World Cup if it means he risks injuring his foot even more so then what it is now.

[varun]

HAHAHAHAH.....The FA get what they deserve. The Scolari ordeal and now the Rooney injury.

Dont f*** with Maxxed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
isn't maxxed english :confused:

i'd say that was a bad move for him :eek:

[Harv]

Unfortunately what randy420 wants won't happen...this is the BIGGEST tournament in the WORLD...and it only occurs once every 4 years...

Sven will take the risk on Rooney and take him as part of the squad...and Rooney will play as soon as he is ready (whether he is 100% fit or not)...and this will be Rooney's decision...he has never played in a WC and wants to play badly...if he misses the first few games of the season next year for extra rest wouldn't be the end of the world...

[randy420]

Unfortunately what randy420 wants won't happen...this is the BIGGEST tournament in the WORLD...and it only occurs once every 4 years...

Sven will take the risk on Rooney and take him as part of the squad...and Rooney will play as soon as he is ready (whether he is 100% fit or not)...and this will be Rooney's decision...he has never played in a WC and wants to play badly...if he misses the first few games of the season next year for extra rest wouldn't be the end of the world...
I'm saying he might miss them due to reinjury, and it would be because he was rushed back too quickly by loopy Sven. the kid's 20 years old, he's got another 3 world cups to look forward to after this one

[Harv]

I doubt Sven will be the one to rush him back...player power rules these days in the England squad...

Only Rooney would say when he's ready to play...and I'm sure he would take a little extra risk to represent his country on biggest stage of them all...

[Phesto]

Between United and England, I say fuck England. United comes before England any time. I don't want to see Rooney rushed to play in the World Cup if it means he risks injuring his foot even more so then what it is now.

Agree with you 100%. United > England. Of course when the Euro or World Cups come around, I like to see the United players do well, and I'll be pulling for England, but United will always be more important!

[username]

Yeah agree w/ you there too Harv, Sven will def. take him but Rooney obviously wouldn't be rushed... For me, I really hope he's fit enough by then, really wanna see him in the WC. But either way, being fit for the next season is something more important.

[tywyn]

Just take a deep breath guys and on the chin.... Rooney is NOT going to be playing in the World Cup, a sad fact but the reality...I hope I'm wrong but highly highly unlikely.

[lawless7]

I was almost in tears when i saw wayne fall to the ground. 6 weeks maybe he can be fit for teh sweden game but i wont bank on it.
He is gone and owen looks to be gone to so now what?
I tell you what
Pur other big players need to us ethis as added motivation and not cry about it. Ok rooney is gone so now let us look at the alternatives.
defoe, crouch and bent are the attacking options. Sven needs to swtich the formation right away.Playing 4-4-2 with rooney was more than risky , playing it without him will be suicide.
I say we we go like this
__________________________Dmid____________________ __________

____________________gerrard_________lampard_______ _____________
Beckham___________________________________________ ____________

__________________________bent/crouch___________________joe cole


We cant play with defoe because he cant play the lone striker role bent and crouch can. I like bent more because he will give us pace up front , while crouch is too much of a role player. I dont expect much more than hold up play and layoffs. but who will he lay off too as the lone striker? So let us save him for late when we need to change somthing. The defense has to be flawless like it was in 2002, I am goin topray for an entire month tha rio turns back into teh rio before the drugs suspension and john terry wears the blue shirt underneath the england shirt. The dmid who ever plays best with lamps an gerrard play them.No fucking around anymore, gerrard and lampard have no excuses about a lack of a holding player they must produce world class football. Beckham must stay wide an only cut it the few times required. Joe cole holds the key to unlock, because he will be the one player other than gerrard that can actually do somthing an keep the opposition off balance. Actually joe cole has become the new must player, he has to be big an ready to make big plays. This formation will allow us to be flexible, so if we need to change to a 4-4-2 late in a game we can. Also SWP importantce has just risen, at the 70th mark i am pretty sure becks will be done we can use him off the bench to be a fire starter and light up the wing with electricity.
Becks must be at full fitness no more excuses no more fitness issues, i love becks but if you aint fit stay on the bench.

NOw lets hope there is no more injuries an this injury will be a rallying cry and not an excuse to go an hide.
We are not the only team that has ever had a bad break so let us use it as added motivation and win this damm thing w ehave waited 40 years for this moment, we cant get sccared now. We have big player a big players need to provide big game.

[Unregistered]

a half blind, one-legged Rooney or Owen is still better than Crouch. If Sven starts him, England are done. ;)
BUT I really don't think if Sven does his job right, England are not going to miss Rooney that much. Sure he is a great player, but let's not forget about the monster that England's midfield is. If Sven manages to get these great players work well together, any moron up front can score some goals, myself included!! :D ;)
And I bet right now he is thinking the same thing.

As far as trying to get Rooney ready for WC, don't even think about it. If what they say is true and he'll be out for 6 or even 5 weeks, there is no way he can help the team. It's a mistake to take him along and waste the chance that could have gone to another player.

So to sum up, now we'll really see what the midfield is really made of. It's a real test for all the England squad, but especially for the dudes in the middle. ;)

[May261999]

Ah yes, the club vs. country debate.........

I don't know what kind of feelings are summoned up in young Wayne's heart and mind when he pulls on the badge of the Three Lions, but having done it (not for England), I am willing to guess that the passion within him will spur him on. Never doubt the body's ability to recover with the right motivation.

I mean, I know he's young, and there will be future World Cups, but what kind of guarantee is there that England will ever be as hopeful as this again? Yeah, quite a few English fans think going to the World Cup is a birthright, but it wasn't too long ago that the World's Greatest Sporting Tournament went on WITHOUT an English presence.

I'm as hardcore United as they come, and I may be flamed for this, but given the circumstances, and knowing how high the hopes realistically are for England this time around, he almost HAS to be there.

[realGaurab]

a half blind, one-legged Rooney or Owen is still better than Crouch. If Sven starts him, England are done. ;)
BUT I really don't think if Sven does his job right, England are not going to miss Rooney that much. Sure he is a great player, but let's not forget about the monster that England's midfield is. If Sven manages to get these great players work well together, any moron up front can score some goals, myself included!! :D ;)
And I bet right now he is thinking the same thing.

As far as trying to get Rooney ready for WC, don't even think about it. If what they say is true and he'll be out for 6 or even 5 weeks, there is no way he can help the team. It's a mistake to take him along and waste the chance that could have gone to another player.

So to sum up, now we'll really see what the midfield is really made of. It's a real test for all the England squad, but especially for the dudes in the middle. ;)
I think you are right. England midfield and defense are still good enough to give every trouble to the opponents. Look at Liverpool for instance. Their strikers haven't found any form this season, but they play probably the best football in England at the moment. But just like Liverpool have been 3rd this season, England wont have the best shot for the title.

[mosesmalone]

Football fans are so hypersensitive. :rolleyes:

If he is out for six weeks then he'll back in time for the World Cup. A six week injury is just that - six weeks. It's not six weeks of healing, three weeks of recovery, and an extra week of training. Plus, should he somehow manage to get injured again, he has plenty of time to heal before the season gets underway. And even if he does miss a few games to start the new season, it's not the end of the world. I'm sure he wasn't going to play every single game anyway.

Fans freaked when guys like Xavi and Heinze went down, but now both are back more than a month ahead of the World Cup. Just chill people. :)

I'm saying he might miss them due to reinjury, and it would be because he was rushed back too quickly by loopy Sven. the kid's 20 years old, he's got another 3 world cups to look forward to after this one

I hope for the sake of England that someone else comes along before Rooney is 32. :)

[fulhamfan]

sad day for Enlgish football if Crouch is counted upon to lead the way up front....they better start bent or defoe instead

[stcronaldo]

worth the risk? fuck that! that's complete nonsense. If you take him and play him when he's not 100% fit, you risk injuring him even worse and he may miss the first part of next season. fuck that. stay home and rest and come back raring to go for 06-07

united fans are the most selfish in the world, i wouldn't hav a problem with them taking ashley cole or campbell to the world cup even if they do jepordize our chances in the EPL next season. the world cup is the world cup, it comes around every 4 yrs, its worth the risk

[Kan]

If Rooney and Owen are out for England, they might as well change to a 4 5 1 formation.
Beckham
Gerrard
Carrick
Lampard
Joe Cole
being the 5 man Midfield. At least Gerrard and Lampard will be able to support the front man (Crouch :D) with Carrick being the holding Midfielder.
The Midfield will definetly have to play to its full potential though. Especially Gerrard Lampard & Cole.

Plus, Rooney wil be part of the squad. He is expected to be out for 6 weeks the same time the first game England plays. No disrespect but I honestly don't think we need Rooney in the group stages. Sweden and Paraguay are no pushovers but they certainly can be beaten without Rooney.

[lawless7]

ya i sai dthe same thing about northern ireland. woops
England like to do fuckery, but yes w ehave to change to a 4-5-1 system now.

[eraser2224]

they should play gerrard directly off crouch imo. with lampard in the center and carrick taking the holding role.

[ELLADA]

I would like to preface to Harv that I am not following him around replying to every single post in order to be nagging presence. Actually, I just want a reply so I can have Mélissa Theuriau stare at me again, and again, and again...
Englands first game is exactly six weeks from now but we have a pretty easy group with Trinidad, Paraguay and Sweden not exactly world beaters (so we should still be able to win the group with the players we have)...Paraguay did beat Argentina in qualifying at home and drew away. And you would think an English fan would recall the tough time Sweden gave England 4 years ago, along with Argentina for that matter... But I digress, I will state my predictions in due time. :)

As for Rooney, it is funny how the Manchester United fans are saying "no way, don't play", and everyone else is saying the opposite. He has got to be part of the squad. As many others have stated, I believe that an 75% Rooney is better than anyone else (I hate using the "%" expression).

I have a friend that is studying athletic therapy, so I played a little game with her tonight: "Tell me everything you know about metatarsals, go!". (I know, it's a fun game). She claims that the fact that he has already broken one makes it more likely that it can break again, as bones are displaced. She says that without knowing the severity, the patient could spend up to a month in a cast.

Summary: There is no way that England is getting out of the group stage :)

[Kan]

Summary: There is no way that England is getting out of the group stage :)

I know England rely alot on Rooney when HE IS PLAYING. But now you may see Gerrard and Lampard play much more better, even as good when they are playing for their club.

Your Summary is poo ELLADA. Sweden will definelty give England a go, they seem to be England's bogey team. Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago won't be as touch as Sweden and England can definelty beat those two without Rooney or even Lampard and Gerrad.

HELLAS HELLAS HELLAS HELLAS.

[kaunglei]

If Rooney and Owen are out for England, they might as well change to a 4 5 1 formation.
Beckham
Gerrard
Carrick
Lampard
Joe Cole
being the 5 man Midfield. At least Gerrard and Lampard will be able to support the front man (Crouch :D) with Carrick being the holding Midfielder.
The Midfield will definetly have to play to its full potential though. Especially Gerrard Lampard & Cole.

Plus, Rooney wil be part of the squad. He is expected to be out for 6 weeks the same time the first game England plays. No disrespect but I honestly don't think we need Rooney in the group stages. Sweden and Paraguay are no pushovers but they certainly can be beaten without Rooney.

yup, it is the perfect chance to pair up lampard and gerrard with a holding midfielder, and beckham crossing and cole cutting inside to feed the giant.

[randy420]

united fans are the most selfish in the world, i wouldn't hav a problem with them taking ashley cole or campbell to the world cup even if they do jepordize our chances in the EPL next season. the world cup is the world cup, it comes around every 4 yrs, its worth the risk

It doesn't matter who I support. If I supported Newcastle, I'd be worried about Owen going to the world cup and playing before he is fully healed, as it would mean an increased chance to re-injure himself and force himself out for an even longer period of time.

As for Rooney, it is funny how the Manchester United fans are saying "no way, don't play", and everyone else is saying the opposite. He has got to be part of the squad.

That's because they realise he's the only hope England have got of winning the World Cup and don't care if he's re-injured or not, so long as England have a better chance to win. They're the same ones who slag him off 90% of the year. and then all of a sudden forget about that and praise him and worship him. Once England go out, if he does play, everyone will go back to slagging him off, instantly forgetting about his contributions in the world cup.

Besides all of that, what if he's not 100% for the world cup, comes back to play and England crash out because of it? The press will have a field day with that, and all of those same england fans will be cursing him for "coming back too soon" when they were the same cunts who wanted him to go.

[Kan]

That's because they realise he's the only hope England have got of winning the World Cup and don't care if he's re-injured or not, so long as England have a better chance to win. They're the same ones who slag him off 90% of the year. and then all of a sudden forget about that and praise him and worship him. Once England go out, if he does play, everyone will go back to slagging him off, instantly forgetting about his contributions in the world cup.


Right on Randy, and I am one of those fans. Slag him 90percent of the time when he is playing for his club and then for England I support him. Same with Garry Neville mate and any other player from United or Chelsea that plays for England. It's just natural rivalry.

[randy420]

And that's why I can never fully support England. I absolutely HATE other players for almost an entire year, yet I'm supposed to all of a sudden stop hating them and cheer them on, seemingly forgetting that I've just hated them for an entire season(maybe longer). I can't do that. I mean if England win 1-0 through a Gerrard goal, hey good for them, but I'm not going to cheer for Gerrard, and cheel for his goal, because at the end of the day, he's still the scouse bastard Gerrard that I've hated constantly for at least the past year, and really even basing it on big tournaments it'd be two years since Euro 2004, and he's still a Liverpool player, and I can't cheer for one of them...

[ELLADA]

freak, I will give you positive rep as soon as I am able again for:

a) using the word "poo"
b) chanting those magic words
c) your sig.. is it not Mélissa, but it will have to do...


England will not make it through based on 2 magic words.. goal difference in all group matches. That is the very first criterium used to sort teams that are tied on points. It is not inconceivable that England, Sweden & Paraguay draw against each other. It will then be up to their results against T&T. Paraguay has the advantage of playing against them last, knowing full well what they need to achieve...

[Stimp]

Right on Randy, and I am one of those fans. Slag him 90percent of the time when he is playing for his club and then for England I support him. Same with Garry Neville mate and any other player from United or Chelsea that plays for England. It's just natural rivalry.
You mean there is someone in the world that supports Gary Neville??? wow

[Phesto]

And that's why I can never fully support England. I absolutely HATE other players for almost an entire year, yet I'm supposed to all of a sudden stop hating them and cheer them on, seemingly forgetting that I've just hated them for an entire season(maybe longer). I can't do that. I mean if England win 1-0 through a Gerrard goal, hey good for them, but I'm not going to cheer for Gerrard, and cheel for his goal, because at the end of the day, he's still the scouse bastard Gerrard that I've hated constantly for at least the past year, and really even basing it on big tournaments it'd be two years since Euro 2004, and he's still a Liverpool player, and I can't cheer for one of them...

Right on, I'm the same way :)
Besides the fact that next season, a fully fit United squad with a new quality midfielder or two have a realistic shot at the League title. They can't afford a sluggish start like this season as we've all seen how fast Chelsea got out in front. A fully-fit Rooney at the start of the 2006-2007 Premier League season is key.

[Mobius]

And that's why I can never fully support England. I absolutely HATE other players for almost an entire year, yet I'm supposed to all of a sudden stop hating them and cheer them on, seemingly forgetting that I've just hated them for an entire season(maybe longer). I can't do that. I mean if England win 1-0 through a Gerrard goal, hey good for them, but I'm not going to cheer for Gerrard, and cheel for his goal, because at the end of the day, he's still the scouse bastard Gerrard that I've hated constantly for at least the past year, and really even basing it on big tournaments it'd be two years since Euro 2004, and he's still a Liverpool player, and I can't cheer for one of them...

Yeah, I'm the same. I literally can't cheer for England because people like Joe Cole enrage me so much. I just hate the FA, and all the bullshit they spout, and can't force myself to go through this artificial patriotism that seems to grip half the country at every major tournament.
I don't really follow any international sides, I just wish any gooners playing luck and hope they don't get an injury. :)

[lawless7]

Yes i have never understood how players love you in one jersey and hate u in another. T

Well i am different - i am about england first. I love ManU but i love england more. I dont hate or even dislike my england players, i love my players liek family weather they play for liverpool, everton it doenst matter as long a sthey are good, i welcome them into my heart. LIke gerrard for example I cheer for him every week to do well, because the better he is the better we will be. The better players like joe cole an lampard become the more recognition england gets and the better our standing. I smile when i see players like lampard an gerrard being rated as the best. Thats one of the reason i hate arsenal more than any other - know english identity. BUt spurs and boro i want them to do well, because the bottom line is england comes first.
Today joe cole did well so i am happy for him even though it was against ManU . I didnt cheer it but after a few hrs i smiled about it because it was an english player pulling off that class.

I love england in a sick way so i will always support my players, no matter what the jersey.

[randy420]

Today joe cole did well so i am happy for him even though it was against ManU . I didnt cheer it but after a few hrs i smiled about it because it was an english player pulling off that class.

Reading your post, especially this little bit literally made me sick to my stomach

[Imran]

Chill fellas, all the love for our english club rival players can begin as soon as the EPL finishes and when England go into WC Camp. For now we all hate each other ;)

Anyway very unfortunate for Rooney, feel for the lad, he launched his new boots and all but now he can't even try em on! Although I dislike you till you pull on an England jersey, best of wishes mate!

[Lanton]

Bah, typical Man Utd fans; scum 'o the earth.

[Yusuf]

England could use Scholsey just about now.
Bah, typical Man Utd fans; scum 'o the earth.
love you too.

[deviant]

what a nightmare. :(

His position is remarkably similar to that of England captain David Beckham before the last World Cup in 2002.

Then, Beckham broke his fifth metatarsal nearly eight weeks before the start of England's World Cup campaign.

And while he played from the start of the tournament, he was clearly not fit - a fact he later admitted
but there is still some hope we can only pray now

[Kan]

Step Up Aaron Lennon!

[rob]

they should play gerrard directly off crouch imo. with lampard in the center and carrick taking the holding role.

This is what I was thinking but possibly with king instead of carrick... seeing as gerrard and lampard just don't compliment each other it could be a good solution.

i don't think sven has the balls to make the change though.

[Kan]

This is what I was thinking but possibly with king instead of carrick... seeing as gerrard and lampard just don't compliment each other it could be a good solution.

i don't think sven has the balls to make the change though.

I don't understand why they don't put a natural player in the holding role. Carrick natural position is that holding role while spreading the play. King is a natural centreback (a bloody good one too).
England have the brightest crop of players since... 66 but jesus christ the coach. The downfall to England chances is Sven.

[lawless7]

Becks broke his 6 weeks an 4 days before the sweden game. But he wa sno where near the same player. Plus last world cup owen shouldt have bene playing with his hamstring injuries.

Owen seems like he will be ready, sven now has to be flexible an create formation which will allow gerrrad and lampard to be so influential.

[madtroll]

"I think it is impossible to have a successful World Cup without Wayne." - Steven Gerrard.

... and some people say Gerrard should be the next captain. That'll fill the rest of the team with bags of confidence, won't it!

[BristolUK]

"I think it is impossible to have a successful World Cup without Wayne." - Steven Gerrard.

... and some people say Gerrard should be the next captain. That'll fill the rest of the team with bags of confidence, won't it!



Good point and well seen.

[May261999]

There are quite a few generalizations about Manchester United fans floating around here, which I for one do not generally appreciate. And then there's randy's passionate defense of why he has a United-first, England-second stance.

Nobody's statements here reflect 100% of all fans' feelings on the issue. I am a United fan, and definitely want us to pick up some silverware next season and be in the running all season long, rather than trying to muster up a late challenge when the title is essentially beyond reach, and I realize that a fully-fit Wayne Rooney is one of the keys to that happening.

On the other hand, there's the issue of this being the World Cup, and not "just another tournament" for England. Maybe I've been spoiled, but after being raised through United's barren spell(s) in the 70s and 80s and then seeing the great success in the 90s, and simultaneously having my heart broken at England stumbling oh so many times in that same time period, I would be perfectly willing and yes, would rather see England raising the trophy on July 10 over United raising the Premiership next May. And in my little world, that does not make me any less of a United fan, no matter what any of you may think.

I mean, think about it:
1980: Euro flop
1982: Eliminated without losing a game in the 2nd group stage
1984: Nevermind
1986: Losing to a cheat
1988: Flop
1990: Losing in a damned shootout after one of the most pulsating games ever
1992: Flop
1994: Not making it after a dirty Dutch foul
1996: Shootout woes, volume II
1998: Shootout woes, volume III
2000: Nevermind
2002: Who knows how that game would've turned out with some tactical tweaking?
2004: Shootout woes, volume IV

And in that same time span, I've had the immense pleasure of seeing my beloved club win multiple Premierships, multiple F.A. Cups, multiple League Cups, and two European trophies.

I want to live to see an English team win the World Cup. This year represents one of the best realistic chances in recent memory, so I can only hope you guys can understand how I (and others like me) feel about this.

[BristolUK]

May261999, you just warmed the cockles of my heart.

[Ziegler1988]

There are quite a few generalizations about Manchester United fans floating around here, which I for one do not generally appreciate. And then there's randy's passionate defense of why he has a United-first, England-second stance.
I for one would always take a USA World Cup over an Arsenal Premiership title. Didn't we have a thread way back that asked would you rather win the World Cup or the CL and almost everybody said World Cup?

[BristolUK]

I for one would always take a USA World Cup over an Arsenal Premiership title. Didn't we have a thread way back that asked would you rather win the World Cup or the CL and almost everybody said World Cup?


You warmed my cockles too :)

[jlimty]

"I think it is impossible to have a successful World Cup without Wayne." - Steven Gerrard.

... and some people say Gerrard should be the next captain. That'll fill the rest of the team with bags of confidence, won't it!

And what would you have expected him to say?

Journalist: So Stevie, what do you think about England's WC chances now that Rooney is almost certain to be ruled out because of injury?

Stevie: Bah Rooney's an overrated player who bring's nothing to the team. We can easily replace him with either Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe or even Andy Johnson. He won't be a big loss and England will still win the WC for sure.

Does that sound better? :rolleyes:

[madtroll]

And what would you have expected him to say?

Journalist: So Stevie, what do you think about England's WC chances now that Rooney is almost certain to be ruled out because of injury?

Stevie: Bah Rooney's an overrated player who bring's nothing to the team. We can easily replace him with either Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe or even Andy Johnson. He won't be a big loss and England will still win the WC for sure.

Does that sound better? :rolleyes:
A potential leader for the England side does not say "It's impossible to win", upon losing one player. Think about it. He is making excuses before the tournament has even kicked off. For me, players having a defeatist attitude is far more worrying than losing Rooney.

I hope he said it as a spur of the moment thing, rather than meaning it. Which is possible, since he and Shrek are so close.

Hypothetically, In your place of work, if you lose a leading salesperson, do you give up and file for bankruptcy? No. You find a way around it.

[ELLADA]

Gerrard said THAT??? I surely hope not, if a Canadian hockey player said that before the Olympics, the whole country would go crazy!

I really hope he did not say that.. inspirational leader, my A $ $...

[Harv]

Quite frankly, Gerrard should keep his mouth shut. Who the hell says something like that??

I love Gerrard as a player, but sometimes he says and does some really daft things...I've mentioned this before, but I was pissed at Gerrard when he was no where to be seen while Robben was play acting during THAT incident...it was Hyppia (former club captain) who was sticking up for Reina...

If Rooney doesn't come back for the WC, then Gerrard is basically saying pack it in, cuz we don't have a chance...that's just bollocks...:(

[May261999]

From Soccernet:
'Any team without Wayne Rooney isn't as strong. In my eyes he is one of the world's best players now at 20,' said Gerrard, who is one of fellow Scouser Rooney's closest friends in the England squad.

'It would be a disaster for England if we had to go to the World Cup finals without Wayne. He is idolised around the country and is our main man.

'I think it is impossible to have a successful World Cup without Wayne.'

Gerrard knows only too well the anguish of being ruled out of a World Cup with injury as he had to withdraw from the squad that went to the Far East in 2002 because he needed a groin operation.

'I know Wayne will be desperate to go, so fingers crossed he can recover quickly from this,' added Liverpool's inspirational captain.

'Hopefully he won't have to go through what I went through in 2004. From experience I can tell him that it is a nightmare back home watching a World Cup on the TV.'

With former Reds striker Michael Owen also complaining of discomfort yesterday after his first run-out for more than four months after also fracturing a metatarsal, England's options up front could be severely compromised.

'I do not want to talk about the situation over what alternatives there are and what chance it gives to other people to play,' said Gerrard.

'Let's just keep our fingers crossed that Wayne does go to the World Cup.

'If it is not to be, obviously it is an opportunity for other players - Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent - but I would much prefer to have a fit Wayne Rooney in the starting XI.'


So within the whole context and taking into account everything he said, I guess I can understand it. That one sentence is one I'm sure he'll regret and be pilloried for, but in all honesty, I would be willing to bet that most of the rest of the potential squad feels at least partially the same.

I can't condone him saying it, but I CAN understand.

[jlimty]

A potential leader for the England side does not say "It's impossible to win", upon losing one player. Think about it. He is making excuses before the tournament has even kicked off. For me, players having a defeatist attitude is far more worrying than losing Rooney.

I hope he said it as a spur of the moment thing, rather than meaning it. Which is possible, since he and Shrek are so close.

Hypothetically, In your place of work, if you lose a leading salesperson, do you give up and file for bankruptcy? No. You find a way around it.

Fair enough he probably should have chosen his words better but I think what he meant was that losing Rooney would be a major blow and not that England will not win the WC without him.

Not too sure if he learnt about the extent of Rooney's injury at that moment but that might explain his sudden outburst. You never know, with Rooney and Owen not 100% fit this might open the door for a 4-5-1 with Crouch as a lone striker. This would suit both Gerrard and Lampard as they can't play together in a 4-4-2 and we know how much quality they both have. Having said that Sven wouldn't have the balls to do such a thing. What a shame.

[steve huge]

Poor lad. Hope he makes it back in time. But, it's not the end of the world by any means, there's enough quality in the England team to win it without him. If Gerrard could get his act together on the international stage, then we've got a world-beater right there. Throw in J. Cole, Lampard, Terry, Beckham, Owen, Neville etc... and on paper we've got a top team.

Stevie really should keep his mouth shut though. He did this last year with the Reds, saying that we couldn't win the CL...although then look what happened :rolleyes: I'm sure he didn't mean it to sound quite so dramatic, probably more of a compliment to Rooney, but he's got to learn that the tabloids (and Madtroll :D ) will pick up on one sentence and make headlines out of it.

Good luck Rooney, all the best for a speedy recovery lad.

[deviant]

what about a 4-1-4-1 formation

----------------King----------------
Beckham---Lampard---Gerrard---Cole
----------------Owen--------------
would it work with England?

[Kan]

what about a 4-1-4-1 formation

----------------King----------------
Beckham---Lampard---Gerrard---Cole
----------------Owen--------------
would it work with England?

Replace King with Carrick.

I also believe that Gerrard shouldn't captain England. Vice captain definelty but Captain, step up John Terry.
I even believe Carra should be captain for Liverpool and not Gerrard.

I have high hopes for Lennon to really be the player to step up in the group stages if Rooney can't play.

Because Sven licks Beckhams balls, thus I don't expect Beckham to be benched. Hopefully Sven will do this Midfield formation.

-----------------Beckham--------------
Lennon---Lampard------Gerrard----Cole

With Beckham spreading the play with his passing ability.

[madtroll]

4-4-1-1: (Gerrard assumes Rooney's role)

-SWP-Beckham-Lampard-J.Cole-
-----------Gerrard-------------
------------Owen-------------

Or 4-3-3: (Crouchinho holds up ball for others to put away)

-Beckham-Gerrard-Lampard-
---SWP-Crouch-J.Cole------

Or a wild suggestion Brazil stylee: (Crazy, innit!)

-Beckham-Gerrard-
-Lampard-J.Cole-
-Ashton-Owen-

Add in Carrick and Lennon and you have even more ideas. Not quite the need for the mass hysteria after all? England have plenty of options. Once Gerrard has decided that England can still win, he will play a crucial part in replacing Rooney.

[BicOfBorg]

Didn´t this happen to beckham last time? what the hells going on has someone upstair got something against england or what.

IMO Rooney is the only genius type player we have, no Rooney no chance!.

[west501]

-------gerrard--lampard------
blondie-------------------------
-------------cole---------------
---crouchinho----owen?-------

this could be a blessing in disguise for england
you guys were misusing rooney by giving him freedom to roam in an otherwise completely rigid 4-4-2, thus counting solely on his genius and marginalising the rest of the squad (see defeatist statement by gerrard)
this is a chance to get creative, delegate responsibility, and ultimately give a handful of pretty talented and hard working players a chance to do more for the team than they could have with rooney in there
observe the upper half of a 4-3-1-2 above
first off, free joe cole from the sideline..he's been your top player this year and it's time to put him in his natural position
the gaping hole in the left side of the midfield should be covered by endless forward runs by ashley cole (provided he's fit) and backed up by either central midfielder or by a clockwise shift putting beckham in the middle and cole to the right wing
by giving them different and complementary roles that'll be a step towards solving the gerrard-lampard compatibility issue too

[jlimty]

The problem here is not that England doesn't have other possibilities, but that Sven will not have the balls to change the system. He will stick with his 4-4-2 and he will find some other stiker(s) to replace Rooney (and Owen perhaps). I would love to see the 4-5-1 but I just don't see Sven taking such a gamble.

[Real JamesO]

I just don't see Sven taking such a gamble.

Yeah, but what does he have to lose? His job? ;)

[phenomenom]

sven has nothing to lose now so he doesn't need to worry about gambling. i really want to see rooney in action at the world stage, because i regretted that i didnt pay attention to him when he played in euro. sven will only pick him if he says he can play. i was just predicting that rooney will become top scorer. now i might have to change my mind. lets hope we all can see rooney in action at the knockout phases at least.

[jlimty]

Yeah, but what does he have to lose? His job? ;)

If he risks putting out another formation he would be the one to take the blame if it doesn't work. However if he sticks to his 4-4-2 and England don't succeed he can say that his best strikers weren't fit and available. That way he has his excuse if things don't work out :)

[Lonso]

"I think it is impossible to have a successful World Cup without Wayne." - Steven Gerrard.

... and some people say Gerrard should be the next captain. That'll fill the rest of the team with bags of confidence, won't it!

Yeah that's definately the wrong thing to say before a World Cup. I've always maintained (with the rest of the noble Liverpudlians in this thread, gee we're a good lot!) that John Terry should be the England captain ahead of Stevie, and this proves it.

Gerrard can be exceptionally inspirational at times, but then has those moments where he'll go missing with both his play and his on-field presence.

Although I do think he has improved greatly since he became Liverpool's captain.

[BatCountry]

A big blow to England & everyone else who enjoy's class football.Shrek will defo be missed, this summer & even if he does come back for the later stages, we cant really expect him to be at his best.

[lplover2k]

Yeah, I'm the same. I literally can't cheer for England because people like Joe Cole enrage me so much. I just hate the FA, and all the bullshit they spout, and can't force myself to go through this artificial patriotism that seems to grip half the country at every major tournament.
I don't really follow any international sides, I just wish any gooners playing luck and hope they don't get an injury. :)

wow...u support ur club more than ur own country??? i am not English but i am a supporter for Lfc and England..... i hate manu chelsea and Arsenal but it's only in the league..... if a manu..chelsea or arsenal player is good enough for the England team....i just say yes take him it will be good for England although i don't really like the player but i know he will play well.... e..g. I really hate Henry...his manners etc... but when e.g. he played against Juventus in cl...i had to admit he is a class player and probably the best striker in the world!!....

[gunnersfan]

ok, so someone on here must know abit about injuries etc,

so i ask after i spoke to my dad about rooney and his injury, i saw rooney walking around on the english premier league final day with united, he was walking around on his foot, does this give him a better chance of recovery, and mean his injury could be less serious?

as my dad said 'if you look at him, hes already walking around on his foot, when most still cant'

i know shite all about injuries, other than they bloody hurt :p

so if someone could help me out here, would be great ;)

[aqualex]

well he was included in the england squad so i think that means there i shope he will be fit, atleast partially, by the time we are in germany.

[Noel]

I have a time machine and rooney comes back for the 3rd group game. you wont be laughing come kick off when im correct and i will be directing you guys back to this thread because ive already done it, you just dont know it yet ;)

[gunnersfan]

I have a time machine and rooney comes back for the 3rd group game. you wont be laughing come kick off when im correct and i will be directing you guys back to this thread because ive already done it, you just dont know it yet ;)

hes grandad would be chuffed with that, and land himself a hefty win from his bet!!!

lend me your time machine noel, so i can see what jessica alba looks like in a few years :p

[care]

Here are some Rooneys pictures from me, for fbtz peoples :) :)

http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike8re.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike24zi.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike30gm.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike42gb.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike55xx.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike62yj.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike71px.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike86gy.jpg

[aqualex]

jessica alba will be not working still but just as hot as ever!!

ps thanks for whoever repped me for my sig :D

[BristolUK]

Between United and England, I say fuck England. United comes before England any time.

I have removed the name of the poster as this is a common opinion and I don't know if he is one of those I'm about to complain about.

But it's funny how those that think along these lines tend to be the first to complain about any failure of the NT.

[opm1s6]

Here are some Rooneys pictures from me, for fbtz peoples :) :)

http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike8re.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike24zi.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike30gm.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike42gb.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike55xx.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike62yj.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike71px.jpg
http://img489.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rooneynike86gy.jpg

he really is not a good looking kid. lets just look at his skills from a distance if we cna.

[Rhia66]

I have a time machine and rooney comes back for the 3rd group game. you wont be laughing come kick off when im correct and i will be directing you guys back to this thread because ive already done it, you just dont know it yet ;)


I would believe in anything about right now for Rooney to be able to play in it :)