NEIL MOXLEY Roo is a leader of m en... it s a shame the same can’t be said of FA
Fwolwloww. Tew. eurk: @peoplesport CONTROVERSY has dogged England at the European Championship.
Like wasps at a barbeque on a summer’s day, the negativity generated by each bad news story has proved difficult to shake off.
It began in the build-up with Roy Hodgson’s squad selection and continued on the streets of Marseille.
The manager did his best to dampen the mood the minute he handed in his team-sheet against Slovakia and t he l atest i ndiscretion f rom motormouth Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has thrown petrol on to the blaze.
By comparison, the Wales and Northern Ireland camps have appeared like havens of tranquility.
Gareth Bale’s gentle teasing about how many of Hodgson’s players would get into Chris Coleman’s side was about as scandalous as it got. Steady there, Team GB.... While all these distractions have swirled around, Wayne Rooney has embraced the captaincy, emerging from this malfunctioning set-up with his reputation as a leader enhanced.
When he accepted the position, England’s squad was bereft of genuine contenders for the role.
And Rooney’s elevation to that position was a slam-dunk because of the lack of rivals, rather than any obvious and outstanding qualities.
As time has passed, however, the Merseysider has grown into the role. While others around him have been losing their heads – Dyke, Hodgson and Raheem Sterling too, by the look of it – Manchester United’s skipper has drawn on his vast experience.
Dyke’s gaffe is unforgivable. This from a bloke in media-facing roles for the majority of his working life.
Yet when asked a question about the future of England’s head coach, he heaps pressure on Hodgson – and therefore England’s squad – by spelling out exactly what will be required for Croydon’s finest to keep his £3.5million-a-year role.
He could have just said: “Guys, the position hasn’t changed from before the tournament. We’ll be sitting down to have a chat with Roy afterwards.”
Heartbeat
No pressure. No problem. As for Hodgson, the logic of his decision to rest a host of players, Rooney included, still mystifies.
The feelgood factor was returning and there was a need for victory.
Not l east because Slovakia themselves wanted to progress. This was no dead rubber.
So, the head coach replaces his skipper and Dele Alli with Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson, both woefully short of match practice.
The defence, midfield and strikers all swapped around – with the punchline that Rooney and Alli were thrown on with half-an-hour left.
But there are signs in the aftermath that demonstrate Rooney really is the heartbeat – and the skipper’s armband is driving him forwards. Look at the latest messages ahead of tomorrow night’s fixture. England’s greatest goalscorer has already asked the players not to view social media until after the final whistle with Iceland.
He’s admitted Hodgson was “right” to rest him. Personally, I don’t accept that for one second.
He’s even poked his nose into Jamie Vardy’s affairs, telling him that his missus needs to stay out of the newspapers as it’s a distraction.
Rooney appealed for calm among fans postMarseille. It’s Rooney the players look to for their cue.
No wonder he has taken it upon himself to act as cheerleader.
He’s seen that those around him are incapable of doing it.
And it is difficult to escape the conclusion that Rooney is the real leader of men out there.
If we do have success in the competition, it will be in spite of the supposed managers, rather than because of them.