Going into last night's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro, Fabio Capello had insisted that Wayne Rooney was a sharp as ever; sadly, the Italian was only partly correct, because Rooney didn't do enough to suggest his problems are behind him following the turmoil surrounding his private life.
The match ended 0-0 - it wasn't exactly a game to remember, but it had its moments. In the final analysis, England were lucky not to lose as the visitors came closest to scoring when Joe Hart was well beaten from fully thirty-five yards by Jovanovic whose stunning half volley rebounded off the crossbar. At the other end, Wayne Rooney had a couple of decent chances but he was denied by goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic.
When Rooney was on the ball he actually looked okay, but when he wasn't on the ball the spark that makes him the player that he's become simply was not there for much of the contest.
When Rooney is playing well, he wants the ball all of the time and he works tirelessly for the team; we saw some evidence of that when he was booked for a calculated challenge. However, there was signs of encouragement against Montenegro, the passion and work-rate might not have been quite there, but his touch was good for the most part.
Part of the problem was that England's midfield didn't provide enough good service to Rooney and Crouch. Adam Johnson looked the most likely provider in the opening period, but the two England strikers were by and large well marshalled by an uncompromising Montenegro back-line.
There was better news to report regarding Rio Ferdinand; having been restored to captain, the England defender put on a near faultless performance and that's great news for both Fabio Capello and Ferguson.
United take on West Brom at the weekend and following a run of indifferent form, the manager and the club's supporters will expect nothing less than three points - whether or not Rooney starts will be one of the major talking points leading up to Saturday's Premier League fixture.
It's a no brainer Hernandez and Berbatov should start. I just don't see the point in keeping out two on form strikers.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, but will they? That is the point!
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing rumors from Hargo's doctor that he could be cleared to play as well. West Brom could be a good match to give him a sub appearance. That would lend way to letting Anderson move on.
ReplyDeleteEvgenni,
ReplyDeleteLet's see and I agree with your comments.
Fergie will not drop Rooney. Simple. What Wayne needs right now is a vote of confidence from the manager and his fellow players. Axing him can only do harm in his comeback from a spell of rotten form.
ReplyDeleteBerba will play for sure, no doubt about that. As for Chicharito, I am fairly convinced that a young guy playing for the biggest club in the world will be too miffed about being on the bench.