2017/18 Wayne Rooney

[BernieH]

Agreed.

But I think someone like NZonzi we were linked with is a type of player we really need.

And an actual CM. I've always said even someone as average as a Mark Noble or Joe Allen type player (not them specifically) in there who can link attack and midfield as we don't have anyone like that in the whole squad.

I think we might have missed a trick with N'zonzi I know we have a lot of midfielders but this lad would have made a difference and would have been great for Davies to watch. Instead we are stuck with Schneiderlin, who just can't be assed by the look of things.

 

[Eggsyblueskin]

All the things his vision and talent allow him to do well are counterbalanced by his unnerving tendency to give the ball away cheaply (that failed threaded pass towards our own goal in the first half could have been costly). He also unsurprisingly tires quickly and is more prone to committing stupid fouls as the game goes on.
He is more than good enough as an ad hoc midfielder this season (for 60 mins anyway) but we need to replace him next season if we wish to achieve anything.

 

[granter79]

Had a good hour or so even though hes way to casual on the ball at times. Needed subbing after an hour which I think made the job harder after we conceded

 

[Big Fat Sam]

I think the goals he's single-handedly cost the side probably cancel out the goals he's score that weren't penalties. Rather poor, truth be told.

 

[liamefc91]

I think the goals he's single-handedly cost the side probably cancel out the goals he's score that weren't penalties. Rather poor, truth be told.

Yesterdays penalty didn’t cost us anything

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Yesterdays penalty didn’t cost us anything

But it could have, and that's the point. You cannot rely on him. His legs have gone. He's good for a cameo at best. Imagine the state he'll be in next season. Bench warmer at best. On 150k a week.

 

[joey_macmo]

He was nowhere near very good. Take the specs off. Loses the ball constantly and was subbed because he wasn't 'very good'. Atrocious at this level and will only deteriorate.

Just because a few kids chant Rooney blindly, does not mend it was a majority. We're hardly going to boo every sub off the pitch, are we? Needless to say, some of them morons used to sing songs about Hibbert and Osman.

Hibbert & Osman would have walked into this side this season.

 

[Timak]

The only player we have who can pass the ball forward, and the key player in all our "good" performances this season.

Plus, you know, top goalscorer.

Needs replacing with a younger model but I can't see why people can't see the difference a player who can pass in midfield makes.

 

[joey_macmo]

I think the goals he's single-handedly cost the side probably cancel out the goals he's score that weren't penalties. Rather poor, truth be told.

Think he’s scored 3 pens, so you think he’s single handedly cost us 8 goals?

Really?

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Think he’s scored 3 pens, so you think he’s single handedly cost us 8 goals?

Really?

Yeah deffo lid. Maybe even 15.

 

[BernieH]

The only player we have who can pass the ball forward, and the key player in all our "good" performances this season.

Plus, you know, top goalscorer.

Needs replacing with a younger model but I can't see why people can't see the difference a player who can pass in midfield makes.

I haven't seen anybody dispute that going forward when in that role, he can offer something, it's a pity that defence matters also. He is sloppy in possession, gives the ball away more than he finds a hollywood pass, that's the stark truth, if he can't stop with the stupid fouls and giving the ball away then he should be nowhere near the midfield if you ask me.

 

[Timak]

I haven't seen anybody dispute that going forward when in that role, he can offer something, it's a pity that defence matters also. He is sloppy in possession, gives the ball away more than he finds a hollywood pass, that's the stark truth, if he can't stop with the stupid fouls and giving the ball away then he should be nowhere near the midfield if you ask me.

But who to play instead?

Nobody else has his ability to pick a pass.

 

[madden95]

I think we play a lot better with him in the team. One of the only players who passes forward. If you can't see we are better team with him in it am not really sure what you are watching.

 

[Sharpattack]

Should only be used as a super-sub at this stage.

 

[BernieH]

But who to play instead?

Nobody else has his ability to pick a pass.

Well that is a different story, one I cannot answer because we don't have a ball playing midfielder, probably why he sticks with 2 DMs most of the time. The recruitment once again missed a flaw in the makeup.

@kenada_blue mentioned that if we have to play him there, he must have legs around him capable of running and doing the donkey work. Play there as needs must but we should be looking to fill the position correctly at the earliest opportunity. He will also be as frustrating as brilliant and thats a consistency which will cost us points.