Football Focus

[red devil]

Ah yes, Steven Gerrard. Did he ever have a good tournament in an England shirt? They've been collective failures.

Ignoring the fact that it has been Rooney's goals that have got England through qualifications, he did actually have one very good tournament in Portugal. In an England shirt he's never reached those same heights, but if you look at the team as a whole, neither have they. But you keep on looking for sticks to hit Rooney with Ots if it makes you feel better...

[Mick Mac]

MrBen Wrote:

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> Lovely goal from Shaun Moloney. And wee Anya and

> Mulgrew also had good games. Nice to see a fair

> few celts from both sides on The Castle last

> night.

Was at the game in Glasgow last night MrBen and the goal lit up a poorish game.

Was in the Scottish section and they have some good songs. Mostly about taking the high road or walking 100 miles, they seemed familiar to me even. It was a great atmosphere created by the tartan army.

Many regrets and condolences obviously about the Scottish fan who fell to his death.

Also it was a strange feeling supporting the away team at Celtic Park, and being massively outnumbered, that felt odd.

[Otta]

Nothing to do with Gerrard for me. Was pleased he chose to go. Just wanted Wayno to go with him.

[Alan Medic]

This won't be of interest to England fans but may well be to the Scots, Irish & Welsh. I was wondering why the ROI are ranked 4th in their group, equal on points with Germany & Scotland but with a better goal difference. Ranking of teams on equal points is determined by how many points a country has gained against the other(s). So in that group Germany has 4, Scotland 3 and ROI 1. Now I know.

[Otta]

red devil Wrote:

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> But you keep on

> looking for sticks to hit Rooney with Ots if it

> makes you feel better...

And you keep supporting your club man if it makes you feel better.

I said above, "it's not Rooney's fault", I'm just fed up with the way the media talk about nothing else. It's probably because of that that it's so obvious when he doesn't have a great game, because all the spotlight is firmly on him.

But okay, I concede that he had a cracking tournament in Portugal.

10 years ago.

[StraferJack]

Cheers Alan. Was puzzling mrben and me the other day too

[Alan Medic]

I think it's a fairer way too as it takes out of the equation the silly results against the minor countries.

[red devil]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> I think it's a fairer way too as it takes out of

> the equation the silly results against the minor

> countries.

They do the same in La Liga, which also has it's fair share of whipping boys...

[red devil]

Otta Wrote:

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> I said above, "it's not Rooney's fault", I'm just

> fed up with the way the media talk about nothing

> else. It's probably because of that that it's so

> obvious when he doesn't have a great game, because

> all the spotlight is firmly on him.

You also said previously that ''I'll start cheering again when Rooney is gone.'' That's quite an uncompromising statement. So what reasons do you have for wanting rid of England's best player and top goal scorer? Who will replace him? It'll need to be a bit more of a convincing reason(s) than saying he gets too much publicity...

[Jah Lush]

Ahem! I'll stick my ore in here. He got the publicity because:-

A: He's England's captain.

B: It was his 100th cap.

C: By scoring he equalled Jimmy Greaves goal record of 44 goals for his country (though it took him nearly twice as many games to do so).

That's news worthy.

[Alan Medic]

Rooney is a good player without being brilliant. One wonders if he was as dedicated to his profession as Ronaldo or Messi how good would he be/have been. I don't think he has though. His importance to England is due to their being a lack of other really good players in the country.

[Otta]

Ashley Cole was dropped, Gerrard and Lampard retired. I know Rooney is younger than them and that I am being harsh, but I wanted him to go with them and a big fat line to be drawn under the "golden generation".

I'd rather see a proper TEAM built over some time, than rely on Rooney who is good (no one could really deny that), but not as special as some make out.

[Alan Medic]

I never thought Rooney was that special but then I compare everyone to Georgie Best. However I know that comparing players in football is akin to comparing a hooker to a flyhalf in rugby. Different jobs and different requirements. Rooney's problem is probably that he is quite good in a number of positions without being great in any. Maybe if he was allowed to play in only one position during his career our perception of him would be different.

[Mick Mac]

red devil Wrote:

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> Alan Medic Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I think it's a fairer way too as it takes out

> of

> > the equation the silly results against the

> minor

> > countries.

>

> They do the same in La Liga, which also has it's

> fair share of whipping boys...

Rugby did it first, cos they are the clever ones.

[Alan Medic]

What are you talking about Mick?

[red devil]

For those of you missing your fix of Downton, Italy v Croatia is on ITV4...

[Mick Mac]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> What are you talking about Mick?

Heineken Cup.

[MrBen]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Was at the game in Glasgow last night MrBen and

> the goal lit up a poorish game.

>

> Was in the Scottish section and they have some

> good songs. Mostly about taking the high road or

> walking 100 miles, they seemed familiar to me

> even. It was a great atmosphere created by the

> tartan army.

Great you got up there Mick. You wont find a better support anywhere in the world - especially when we're away. I'm really looking forward to the game tomorrow.

Whilst 2013's Wembley friendly in August went by unnoticed tomorrows will not given it's timing mid campaign, just after ROI and post referendum. The Celtic Park location will also give it an edge. Far more intimate than Hampden without the athletics track and steep seating.

It will be LOUD. Feck. Seriously tempted to call my cousins and jump on an Easyjet.

[red devil]

Well, MrB, are you going?

Make a week of it, stay up for the Hearts game, you know you want to...

[Mick Mac]

C'mon Scotland. Show that underdog spirit, mixed with a little guile.

[????]

Guess how many foooks I give about this friendly?

[Parkdrive]

???? Wrote:

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> Guess how many foooks I give about this friendly?

Erm 2?

[red devil]

It's not a normal friendly though ????. I'm really looking forward to it, will be a great atmosphere...

[Jah Lush]

I'm looking forward to it too. Always a bit tasty this fixture. I was at Wembley during Euro '96 when Gazza scored that amazing goal. Incredible atmosphere. Never witnessed anything like it before or since.

[Otta]

Yeah I'll be watching this one I hope (kids allowing - which they probably won't).