Rooney's 29 and, disappointingly, what appeared to be an inevitable descent into obesity never

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

happened.

He never really did it, though, did he? He never became a Cantona or an Henry or suchlike.

The spud-faced knacker.

[Berni]

to be anything more?

[Pat Vegas]

I thought he was 'world class' but I think that's because most of the time I saw him play was against us and we did our best to make him look tremendous.

Even when he was at Everton. In fact he can thank Arsenal for his 'Status'

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I thought he might end up a bit special if he didn't turn into Mr C reosote first. Neither happened.

[Monty91]

Rooney has had an absolutely fantastic career and is not yet 30.

You are right to say he never became the truly global superstar that some predicted, but there are surely plenty of others of whom you could say the same and who also went on to distinguished careers.

Also, I think there were at least a couple of years when he was one of the very best players in the world.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

2. That's what I said.
3. Wind your neck in.

[Rich]

And he'll do it in far fewer games than Sir Bobby Charlton. So I would say that he's pretty f**king good, actually.


http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Legends.aspx?sort Order=goals (http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Legends.aspx?sortOrder=goals)

[7evens]

Poor Elton took decades to feel comfortable with his look..

[Luis Anaconda]

then the inevitable injury before major tournament blow struck. Going to end his career as the highest goalscorer for Manchester United and England - some record

Good tactic to get his matchly goal out of the way early last night

[Classic Jorge]

By the time he retires he'll have the full Gerrard, where he has to shave a little DMZ between his eyebrows and fringe

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

And England's top scorer? :hehe: Scored even more than Carlton Cole, did he?

[Classic Jorge]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Dutch Gooner]

whether he deserves it is an entirely different matter

[Rich]

summer).

He also nearly has the goals per game of Denis Law - and arguably would have better if Rooney didn't often play in midfield/behind the strikers.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Classic Jorge]

Also, crucially, not a thin lipped, ghost mum bothering product of nepotism and triumph of hard work and selfishness above actual talent.

[7evens]

this one off...

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7925/europlate8bt4.jpg

[Classic Jorge]

They've not forgot his angling for a move away and being prepared to move to city unless they gave him a better contract.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Is it that the concept of hard work goes against everything you belive in j?

[Rich]

Giroud and Welbeck.

[Berni]

Nobody's saying he hasn't had a great career, merely that he's fallen short of the (possibly unreasonable) expectations placed on him.

When he was younger, I saw a player who was freakishly strong, far faster than he had any right to be, devastatingly (not to say distressingly) good in front of goal, who played with an intelligence that belied his appearance and utterances. At the time, one wondered if he might go on to hone to his gifts to become a top, top, top, top player. As it is, he remained a top, top player.

[Classic Jorge]

Often to the detriment of the more magical, more interesting, stuff.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Indeed, there was a definite zip to our closing down and tackling last night which has been conspicuously absent at OT in the recent past.

A little 'passion', if you will. Perhaps a touch of 'pride in the shirt'.

[Classic Jorge]

Also, even in our newly minted state, I doubt we'd go for the full 300kpw

[Berni]

did. That or he has the brain of Pythagoras and somehow perfected the geometric art of doing it on purpose?

[Red N White Army]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

you might want to keep your head down when it comes to such matters.

[Classic Jorge]

I'm not sure beyond the good engine and the scuffed, deflected shots following a "late arrive*" there's a great deal more.

*danny murphy has made me want Big Ron back

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Must be 'Tory vermin'.

[Classic Jorge]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I defended him tirelessly on here at the time. I told you all you'd regret not forgiving him his tiny slip of the tongue.

[Classic Jorge]

The Three Degrees, for instance

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Berni]

That said, it is also in Essex.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

What is wrong with you, man?

[Classic Jorge]

[Berni]

Only I barely remember him and I'm older than you.

[Berni]

How else is one to know who is or isn't quite the thing? :shrug:

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Prejudice is ugly in all its forms.

[Classic Jorge]

Though I was given a bunch of VHSs of Holland matches from 74 and 78 by our school football coach with the instruction "This is the player I want you to become".

The next day I turned up for training with a carrier bag containing my trainers and a bottle of Whiskey but I'm not sure that's exactly what he meant.

[Berni]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

He cites his greatest hero as Thatcher.

[Classic Jorge]

[Luis Anaconda]

and probably told Mourinho to pick him. Don't be silly j - it undermines so much of your good work

[Classic Jorge]

[Classic Jorge]

But I really, really hate Frank Lampard

[Berni]

http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2007/09/06/johan-neeskens-in -barcelona-ik-scheet-mezelf-helemaal-leeg.aspx (http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2007/09/06/johan-neeskens-in-barcelona-ik-scheet-mezelf-helemaal-leeg.aspx)

[Classic Jorge]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Berni]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I farted myself completely empty. We'd say '****', I suppose. Unless the quote is from a story about having terrible wind.

[Luis Anaconda]

Although I find my loathing for John Terry overshadows any hate for the other members of that team

[Trixie Popsicle]

Fat Frank has always been total gash imo.