No Rooney ??

[Steve A]

For the footy fans amongst us, i for one think our chance has decrease as it looks like hes not going to the World Cup, apparently the so called experts think that England will have a better balance , i disagree, Rooney is a type of play that can change a game out of nothing, anyone disagree, agree either way explain for and against !

Regards

*EDIT*Sorry chose the wrong poll option meant to say better chance with!

[midzt]

Yeah, england definately have better chance if rooney went. Just look at euro, once we lost him we were a totally different team. Which 'experts' have said that we have a better chance without him.

I got a bit confused by the choices btw. Had to think about whcih one to chooose, i think i chose the right one.

[Carlh]

Goes without saying really I think Englands chances have drastically decreased, with Rooney being out and also with Owen struggling with his fitness at the moment we havent really got any strike power up front...

Ok I guess we have got that midget Crouch upfront so if the worst comes to the worst we could always play the route 1 stuff....

[schmunk]

TBH, although he's a great player, I haven't really rated him in the last couple of England games I've seen. IMO Joe Cole's been the stand out player for England recently.

[Steve A]

The so called "experts" were on the Jimmy Hill thing on Skysports .. i think they have there head up there arse tbh ..

Regards

[Lead_Head]

The solution is simple. Swap Rooney for Gerrard and have a 5 man midfield with Gerrard in a free role, or very attacking position. Gerrard can hit just as good a shot as Rooney as proved this year in the Premiership. Plus it solves the Lampard / Gerrard problem in midfield.

An option isn't available for me in the poll, I still think our chances are the same before losing Rooney than if we had a fit Rooney.

Team I'd play....

Robinson
Neville, Terry, Ferdinand,A. Cole
SWP, Carrick, Lampard, J. Cole
---------Gerrard,
----------------------Owen

[Steve A]

I agree that the Gerrard solution is a viable one and thats coming from a Man U support i recognise class what ever team they play for ... i also agree with no beckham as well, what has he done for the past few years .... yeah thats right f**k all .. i would also think about aron Lennon on the right. he looks a tricky little player ....

[Lead_Head]

Actually, I think I'd prefer Lennon over SWP. Lennon is unknown by the other teams and could cause some suprises. If the world cup was a year later, Lennon would be in my starting 11 on his current form.

[Steve A]

IMO Joe Cole's been the stand out player for England recently.

Agreed, he has played superb this season .. by far england most consistant performer ..

[Kumagoro]

I think morale plays a huge role and as rooney is hyped so much other teams have some
doubt about winning when hes playing. Everytime england ever play brasil they fall
apart as they see them as a much better team and they always turn cack.
England always seem to be affected by this kind of thinking more than other teams

[divinemadness]

While I'd like to think we could be a better team without him, the simple fact is the team play we have now has been developed around having him in that team with his role. Remove him and that falls apart.

[Lead_Head]

I think it's better to lose him now rather than plan the World Cup with him and lose him during it, like in the Euro 2004.

It also takes a bit of pressure off the other players during the build up as attention will be on Rooney and if he is fit or not.

[kempez]

Why did I just vote for the wrong option?? Damnit!

I think Rooney is a very influential player and its a sad loss for england

[midzt]

I think that Lennon would do very well on the right wing and would love to see him in the England team (im a spurs fan btw). J Cole could play supprting for Owen or whoevers playing upfront (Defoe?), tbh, i think that Crouch is only for subbing on when we need a goal and have not been dominating. All hes got is height, his techinque which is impressive 'for a big lad' is matched by anyone who will be in the england team.

Lead heads idea of playing Gerrard would also be pretty good, seeing his shot at the weekend.

We wont do too bad in the World Cup, just the flashes of magic that Rooney provides won't be there, but the others have that anyway.

PS. Come on Barca!!

[dfowles]

For me he is the player that could have made the difference. Still think we will do ok but a huge huge loss .

[McMav]

Big loss imo look at 2004 when you lost him.

Also when will sven realise playing gerrard lampard and beckham dnt work.

Liked a bit on the radio today a guy is taingin out an insurance policy to cover his emotional stress is england get dumped out at group stages. 7 figure pay out if he can prove it is due to england not qualifying from group