Euro Update: Rooney Ready

I have been reading today about Wayne Rooney's optimism heading into his first game at the Euro's and England's last in the group stage. I for one, cannot wait to see how he plays. I think most are anticipating the explosion of passion and desire, something we have seen him deliver on multiple occasions for club and country. This could be a trigger for the team to really kick on and show that we are good enough to be there or there abouts towards the end of the tournament. The team showed great fight against Sweden last Friday. They were clearly inspired towards the end of the game with some excellent moments from little Theo and Danny Wellbeck spinning the game back around. However, i cant help that with Rooney in the team, that balance and composure will prevent us going behind in the first place.

Both Sweden goals were lapses in concentration, the second much more severe than the first, it was like our boys were confused with which way was up for the first 5 minutes and before we knew it, it was 1-2. This should not be happening at this level. Scotty Parker and Stevie G cannot carry the ball with the youthful vigour that Jack Wiltshire or Tom Cleverly will do in the future in that shuttle role in the centre of midfield, but the still inspire and fight. Add Rooney playing in behind Wellbeck or Caroll who both have shown that they can perform, and we will see a balance that has not existed through the centre of the park for England in a long time. Ashley Young was previously moved out of the central role and moved into his preferred slot on the left and should stay there. His performances havent been great, but he has shown what he can do when paired with Rooney all season with United and it will be interesting to see them back together.

We all know Rooney will provide cover for the two centre midfielders who look as if they will have to pay every minute of every game despite looking jaded after the hour mark in both games so far. Rooney loves to come back win the ball, move it on, and as he showed with his goal tally this season at United, he can score goals, big goals, on big occasions. Roy Hodgson spoke earlier of the same belief that Wayne is eager to get on the pitch and turn in a 'Pele-esque' performance. We all know he is a world class talent and is capable of pulling off world class feats. Rooney was born to play international football with his drive and passion and his sheer love of performing for his country. Whether or not the system works against the Ukraine later today, one thing is for sure, Wayne is back and he will be like a bull at a gate this evening. I feel both England and the tournament need someone to set the game alight and 'Wazza' is just the man for the job.

Also, this is the first bit of International tournament that Rooney's new barnet will see.... so make it an occasion Wayne...

The Games Begin

Today marked the opening of England's valiant lions foray into what is largely expected to be another disappointing tournament for football's most tormented fans. As an English football fan myself i know what it is like to watch England fail to meet expectations tournament after tournament, yet for some reason (without explanation) the English football fan has a naivety nestled nicely into the corner of our brain which which whispers in a passion soaked hope, 'this is our year' without fail every two years. This being based on the fact that we actually qualify for the major tournaments, a feat that was just a bridge to far in Croatia in 2007, something i am sure to this day did not happen.

Once again we set off in Poland and Ukraine, however this year is different. For the first time that i can remember, there is not a huge weight on the shoulders of the English players, there are better teams in the tournament, something i find very hard to say, but it is true. Maybe the English public have come to terms with the fact that maybe this is not our year but the first building block on the way to a team which has the potential to to make its mark on world football, potentially on the hallowed pitches in Brazil in 2014 (That will be our year). The team that played it's first game against the French today is one which many have high hopes for in the future but are not expected to exceed a quarter final place in this tournament. Youth talent with the likes of Danny Wellbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both getting starting places in the line-up. Not to mention the deep lying talent that is not available or on the fringes of the squad. Players like Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Chris Smalling have all proved that they can play at international level. Also, Jack Wiltshire and Tom Cleverley are both being touted as the future hearts of their respective teams. These players have all proven themselves in the last season as players who are the future of Premier League and English football, and if you are good enough at the top of Premier League you are good enough anywhere.

So the future does look bright for English football, it seems the underachieving storm clouds of 2008 are slowly starting to recede and are slowly being banished from the minds of the English faithful. You can't help but feel that sometime soon we are going to achieve something special, its slowly approaching 50 years since a last major tournament win, maybe its this year, maybe (probably) not, however this will not stop the English boys believing in that slight glimmer of hope that we can finally bring a bit of success back to the home of football.