It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

Wayne Rooney: England captain in a 'difficult period' as he is dropped

1 hour ago From the section Football 194

England captain Wayne Rooney says he is in a "difficult period" after he was dropped for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.

Interim manager Gareth Southgate said the decision was tactical and not a reflection of the forward's form.

Rooney, who was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd during Saturday's 2-0 win over Malta, has not started Manchester United's past three matches.

The 30-year-old said there was "no embarrassment" in being on the bench.

Rooney will retain the captaincy but Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will be the on-field skipper on Tuesday.

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The United player is England's record scorer with 53 goals in 117 appearances, but has netted one goal in 12 games for club and country this season.

"My game now? Of course, I'm not denying it is in a difficult period. I've been on the bench the last few games for Manchester United but that's part of football," said Rooney, who is England's most-capped outfield player.

"I have to work hard and when I'm needed for both club and country, I'll make sure I'm ready."

Tottenham's Eric Dier will replace Rooney in midfield against Slovenia.

Southgate added: "We have looked at the way Slovenia play and I knew in my mind the profile of the midfield I wanted to play in this game. In no way is it a reflection of Wayne's performance on Saturday.

"He had a lot of the ball and played with great tactical discipline. It's not an easy decision to take because of the respect I have for him as the captain of this team."

Rooney said being dropped by England had not changed his plans to retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Asked if he was surprised to be left out, he added: "No, I think it is football.

"I've played 13 years non-stop for England and given everything. A time comes when you're not the first name on the team sheet which I have been in the past."

Speaking about Henderson taking the captain's armband, Rooney praised the 26-year-old.

"I think Jordan is a fantastic leader," added Rooney. "He has taken a difficult job from [former captain] Steven Gerrard at Liverpool and grown into the position. He has great leadership qualities and he deserves his chance. It will be an incredibly proud moment for him and his family."

Analysis - Rooney has acted with a lot of class

Former England strikerChris Suttonspeaking on BBC Radio 5 live

Wayne Rooney has acted with a lot of class and it is not easy for him to take being dropped, he has taken it gracefully.

Southgate has made the right decision, there isn't a place for Rooney in the current England team, it is as simple as that and we have to move on now.

You have to credit Southgate, the past two England managers didn't have the gumption to drop him and he should have been dropped.

sad but its the end off rooney

Ffs Eric Dier is crap.

Agree that it's time for Rooney to go but there are much better replacements than Dier.

Unfortunately, Rooney cannot play in a central mid-field position, anywhere near as well as Scholes did. And of course, in mid-field, he isn't going to be scoring many goals.

IMHO, Rooney loses the ball far too easily and his passes don't get to their targets as often as they should.

Yes, he is good at spotting opportunities but I don't think he can put them into practice these days.

He is excellent with dead balls (ie. free kicks and corners) and is good at marshal-ling his troops and keeping up intensity to the end of the game.

It's a pity now, that his days as a first class star are now numbered and he's descending fast off his peak.

Thanks for entertaining us so much, Wayne Rooney.

Well that was crap wasn't it. Rashford needs to start every game and the midfield heads an overhaul. Why don't they take a chance on Berkley or someone else with a bit of flair or is he injured ?

Back in the real world new manager Warnock has already made three confirmed new signings and is in talks with a fourth player

New signings are
Junior Hoillett ex QPR winger
Sol Bamba ex Leeds captain and centre back
Chamakh ex Crystal Palace forward but without the dodgy haircut.

4th player thought to be in talks is Kieron Richardson.

We live on television Friday v Bristol City and our season really does need to start then.

Dunno where we got all the money from for their wages cos six weeks ago we were selling Fabio and Marshall for peanuts just to get them off the wage bill.

Dil - Barclay's confidence shot to pieces, doesn't know whether he is on his arse or elbow at the moment. Koeman hopefully will sort him out. Henderson will never replace Rooney can't pass wind, gives the ball away too easily and Stones is a liability more often than not.

There is a big need for the FA to encourage and develop some sort of : how do I describe it : "a midfielder football school" where young players are properly nurtured into how play should blossom from the back......most of the time English players seem only capable of going past one player before losing the ball or they ending up making sideways passes....lack of taught creativity at junior grassroot level might be the cause...

Whilst their at it perhaps some coaching on taking corners and making the most of 'free kicks'
2517

And don't forget passing the ball to a member of the same team .

And shooting at the opponents goal .

Blimey guys...you're asking for the world !....

Anyway....back to serious stuff....euhh...what about Scotland ?.....hmmmm...
I'll be sorry to see Gordon Strachan go......as it seems he's under pressure....
Aiii waun't haabandon mai Konntry .......oh alright then.....must admit I'd miss his look when the football draws for the Euro and World cups qualifiers are made....can't beat it.....

Agree with you on Henderson Chris.

rf , I like Strachan but he should stop picking his favourites and start picking guys on merit.

Kieron Richardson is a bluebird , can't wait to play the Wurzels tomorrow night. 20,000 plus expected now whereas 2 weeks ago would have reckoned on 12,000 with it being a Friday night game and live on SKY.

Fair do's to the carrot munchers they've sold over 2000 tickets.

Everton fans' reaction to John Stones will be interesting to see
05:00, 14 OCT 2016
OPINION BY KEVINRATCLIFFE
Defender's exit was a good deal for all parties

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John Stones will be coming up against his former Everton team-mates (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)
It will be interesting to see what kind of reception John Stones receives from the travelling Evertonians when he lines up against his former club for the first time on Saturday.

In many ways you could argue that it was a good deal for both parties in that the player got the move he wanted and Everton held out to get over £47million for his services after turning down offers of considerably less from Chelsea a year earlier.

A key factor to the mood of how the deal has been received is the fact that most Blues are pleased with Stones’ replacement.

Ashley Williams wasn’t someone they were taking a chance on and were unsure how he’d cope, he’s just slotted straight into his role.

We’ve seen talented young players leave Everton in the past to go on to supposedly bigger and better things and it hasn’t always worked out for them.

Jack Rodwell’s move to Manchester City proved a huge disappointment while Francis Jeffers had a similar experience at Arsenal a few years earlier.

Wayne Rooney going to Manchester United is possibly the only one to be an unqualified success.





I'll be hiding behind the settee :0) I hope the Everton fans give Stones a warm reception, and an even bigger roar when he gifts them a goal.

Aged 10 years but will take the result City 1 EFC 1 :0)

Bet you would/have - clearly you were lucky and had they a few more Germans in the team then you would have lost

Joe - 2 missed pens, defence is solid though. And really lucky no doubt. Koeman building the team from the back, Oviedo is no left back, but did ok. If Martinez had still been in charge would have been stuffed 5-0. Couple of signings in Jan, top six or better. A few more Germans would have made no difference City are awesome as they are. Great team effort by the blues.