Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ROO HAVE TO GET SCORING
SAM ALLARDYCE has no problem with Wayne Rooney’s show of petulance... just with his recent lack of goals!
The Everton hero caused controversy when he seemed to utter a string of obscenities after being substituted during the Merseyside derby, and Allardyce held talks with him this week.
The Blues boss though, thinks scoring is a far bigger issue for a club that has struggled to replace the 25 goals provided by Romelu Lukaku last season.
Rooney is top scorer for Everton with 11, but three have been penalties, and he hasn’t scored from open play since December 13, which prompted Allardyce to suggest: “Certainly in the games we are controlling more and attacking more I would like him further up the pitch but he’s also one of our best passers.
“I would like that combination to get bigger, certainly from a scoring point of view – he hasn’t scored in open play since Newcastle.”
They have been portrayed as enemies after Rooney was hooked in the derby, but Allardyce added: “We are alright. He’s proud and passionate as an Everton fan and that’s where the reaction came from.”
Goals have been a huge problem for Everton, even before the ex-england boss arrived.
He added: “If you’re going to get into Europe you need two players getting into double figures – minimum.
“We haven’t got anyone who has come close to scoring the goals Lukaku got last year.”