Is Wooney World Class?

Man Friday · by **Man Friday** » 15 Jun 2014 18:22

Define Wooney: Wayne Rooney, the underperforming England player who we were told by all the pundits was world class but has failed to score (or even have a half-decent game) in 4 world cups so far.

Define 'World Class': In a 'best of the world' team Vs another planet, very likely to make a squad of 18 (bit generous, but we'll give him a chance).

Sub question: Has he ever been World Class?

Silver Fox · by **Silver Fox** » 15 Jun 2014 18:27

This is only his third World Cup and it's also the first one he's not been injured going in.

He's not world class anyway

Man Friday · by **Man Friday** » 15 Jun 2014 18:31

yeah, my bad. Feels like four. Probably joining them up with Euros but then that would it five tournaments...(?)

SPARTA · by **SPARTA** » 15 Jun 2014 18:36

Not by a long way.

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 15 Jun 2014 19:11

Flat track bully made more impressive by playing for one of the best teams in the world (barring this season).

sandman · by **sandman** » 15 Jun 2014 19:14

Had the potential to be world class but plateaued at 20 where other players like a certain ex-teammate who now plays for Real Madrid kicked on and just got better and better.

From Despair To Where? · by **From Despair To Where?** » 15 Jun 2014 19:28

Ian Royal Flat track bully made more impressive by playing for one of the best teams in the world (barring this season).

He looks world class when he has world class players around him allowing him to play his game.

To me, a truly world class player is someone who makes a difference and inspires his team mates just by being on the pitch, someone who dictates the game and regularly has an impact when it is most needed. Ronaldo is world class, Messi is world class, Figo was world class, Zidane was world class, Henry was world class. Rooney is not in the same class.

As sandman said, Rooney plateaued at 20 but is the unfortunate victim of English football's desparate need for a hero. Again though, truly world class players can handle that sort of pressure and expectation.

Whatevs · by **Whatevs** » 15 Jun 2014 19:35

Silver Fox This is only his third World Cup and it's also the first one he's not been injured going in.

He's not world class anyway

he was out injured at the end of the season

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 15 Jun 2014 20:04

From Despair To Where?
Ian Royal Flat track bully made more impressive by playing for one of the best teams in the world (barring this season).

He looks world class when he has world class players around him allowing him to play his game.

To me, a truly world class player is someone who makes a difference and inspires his team mates just by being on the pitch, someone who dictates the game and regularly has an impact when it is most needed. Ronaldo is world class, Messi is world class, Figo was world class, Zidane was world class, Henry was world class. Rooney is not in the same class.

As sandman said, Rooney plateaued at 20 but is the unfortunate victim of English football's desparate need for a hero. Again though, truly world class players can handle that sort of pressure and expectation.

Generally agree. Has Messi actually produced on the international stage yet though?

Gerrard is probably the closest we've got to world class now Cole has gone, and he isn't. But he does at least regularly deliver on the quality he has for his country. Others have potential.

Whatevs · by **Whatevs** » 15 Jun 2014 20:17

Stevie G has been very average for England like the rest of them. I actually thought he was very average again last night

Ouroboros · by **Ouroboros** » 15 Jun 2014 20:44

What does "World Class" mean?

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 15 Jun 2014 20:45

Ouroboros What does "World Class" mean?

One of the best players in the world, obviously. There's even a definition for you in the OP.

Ouroboros · by **Ouroboros** » 15 Jun 2014 20:47

Erm...

I don't like this definition.

Yeah he's rubbish. He's not even in the top 3 or 4 players in the world in his position.

soggy biscuit · by **soggy biscuit** » 15 Jun 2014 20:50

Ian Royal Has Messi actually produced on the international stage yet though?.

19 goals in his last 19 international matches

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 15 Jun 2014 20:56

soggy biscuit
Ian Royal Has Messi actually produced on the international stage yet though?.

19 goals in his last 19 international matches

Yeah, that'd count.

Hoop Blah · by **Hoop Blah** » 16 Jun 2014 16:11

Man Friday Define Wooney: Wayne Rooney, the underperforming England player who we were told by all the pundits was world class but has failed to score (or even have a half-decent game) in 4 world cups so far.

Define 'World Class': In a 'best of the world' team Vs another planet, very likely to make a squad of 18 (bit generous, but we'll give him a chance).

Sub question: Has he ever been World Class?

I'm really not sure on the definition of World Class. I know it's bounded about far too much and it's largely just a throw away comment but I'm not sure how I'd define it sensibly myself.

Hoop Blah · by **Hoop Blah** » 17 Jun 2014 08:48

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27879498

Some sensible comments, yet again, from Gary Neville about the Rooney debate which pretty much sums up my thoughts on level of comment about his form and selection.

I see that Ronaldo yet again failed to stand out or do anything effective in a big game. I guess he isn't world class either anymore...

sandman · by **sandman** » 17 Jun 2014 09:17

Once again? He was top scorer in this seasons CL, he produced probably the best individual performance of the season in the qualifying play off to get Portugal to the World Cup, helped his club win their domestic cup final and that's just this season.

Hoop Blah · by **Hoop Blah** » 17 Jun 2014 11:50

sandman Once again? He was top scorer in this seasons CL, he produced probably the best individual performance of the season in the qualifying play off to get Portugal to the World Cup, helped his club win their domestic cup final and that's just this season.

But with Rooney it seems we have to discount all the good performances and just concentrate on the negatives, so why don't we do the same for every other decent player that has a bad game or two?

southbank1871 · by **southbank1871** » 17 Jun 2014 12:17

sandman Once again? He was top scorer in this seasons CL, he produced probably the best individual performance of the season in the qualifying play off to get Portugal to the World Cup, helped his club win their domestic cup final and that's just this season.

Crikey, you really have a hard-on for all things Real Madrid don't you?