Vision Interesting that Hodgson seems perfectly happy to big up Rooney rather than ask for caution as he did with Wellbeck. Obviously there's a big difference in exprince but previous England managers have all been very careful to manage expectations where Rooney is concerned. Looks like Hodgson is effectively telling him "you're our best player,now go and show you're one of the very best in Europe as well"
Shows an attention to individual man management at odds with the rather lazy "defensively organised bore" tag that the tabloids have labelled him with.
Time will tell how it works but I've a sneaky feeling that Rooney will respond positively.
I seem to remember the hype surrounding Rooney in 2004 (where he played well until he broke his metatarsal) and 2006 (where he had a metatarsal injury leading up to the tournament) was incredible. It seemed like he was the man who could win us a tournament. Seems a bit more sensible this time round - general recognition that he's our best player but tempered with a streak of realism, not least because he was gash in WC 2010.
I think Hodgson is right to back him so strongly, should give him a bit of confidence.
