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Gareth Southgate baffled by England fans’ booing of Wayne Rooney

• England captain was booed before and during game at Wembley
• ‘The criticism is unfair. But he ploughs on and plays with pride’

Gareth Southgate offered a public defence of Wayne Rooney, praising his input over this international window and stressing the booing that his captain was subjected to from sections of the crowd at Wembley was unhelpful.

Rooney, operating in a deep-lying midfield role on his 117th cap as England overcame Malta 2-0, had been booed by some home supporters when his name was read out over the PA system before the kick-off. That criticism flared up again late on as he overhit a shot, the ball sailing out for a goal‑kick, with a crowd of more than 81,000 having long since grown frustrated at England’s inability to build on their first‑half advantage.

The 30-year-old was also perhaps fortunate not to be sanctioned by the Swedish referee after clattering his opposing captain, André Schembri, with his follow-through during the first half, though. However, Southgate was satisfied with Rooney’s display and baffled by the crowd’s reaction. “If you look at the number of games and his goalscoring feats for England … I don’t quite understand that [booing],” he said. “I presented him with a cap in the week for becoming the record outfield cap-holder with his country and it’s been fascinating to get an insight into his world over the last 10 days.

“Every debate focuses on him. The onus on him is enormous. The criticism of him is, at times, unfair. But he ploughs on and plays with pride, captaining his country with pride. I always look back to the Terrys, the Lampards, the Ashley Coles … in their time with England they took an enormous amount of criticism, but, if you look at their caps, they kept turning out and putting themselves on the line.

“Others have not put themselves forward and withdrawn from squads when the going has got tough. Those guys put their neck on the block and played for their country again and again. I don’t understand [the booing]. But that seems to be the landscape. I have no idea how that is expected to help him.”

Southgate had in effect selected Rooney in a role to which José Mourinho has stated publicly he is not suited at Manchester United. “Look, José will have his opinion on what’s right for his team,” said the interim manager. “I had to pick a team to get a result today. Wayne’s experience and his leadership have been crucial throughout this week, not just today. I wanted to get Dele Alli higher up the pitch as a link between midfield and the forwards. He got his goal and was disappointed not to get a second, for sure. That team and system suited us today.

“Between Wayne and Jordan Henderson their job was to control that area of the field. To link between the lines. When you look back at the Slovakia game, there were times when that link wasn’t there. We felt it was important today, and Dele as a No10 helped that, as well as Jesse Lingard coming in off the line. They were there to control the game, and make sure we didn’t get caught on the counter. We knew we’d have a lot of the ball. It was a game where we’d dictate the tempo.”

England have called up Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs, as a replacement for the hamstrung Ryan Bertrand, before Tuesday’s tricky qualifier in Slovenia with Southgate encouraged by much that he witnessed on his Wembley debut as manager. “At times we played some really nice stuff, and had plenty of chances to have made it more comfortable,” he added. “In the second half, subconsciously, there was a feeling the game was won and we were looking towards Tuesday, physically. We didn’t bomb forward as we might have done had the scoreline been tighter. There’s room for improvement, but that’s not a bad place for us to be.

“I have to be realistic about how quickly some of the ideas we’re trying to implement can take place. Given the situation I picked up about 12 days ago, internally we’ve come a hell of a long way to get everything together and get a performance where we were always in control of the game. You have to look at the situation we inherited and what was required at the time. Football-wise we’ll get better. The players would recognise that. I’ve seen teams having to work all pre-season to get new ideas across, and we’ve had four days. So I have to be realistic about how it might look.

“But, in moments, we moved the ball really well. At times we moved it a bit too slowly in the second half, and a bit longer than we needed to. But all those things will come in time. The players managed the game sensibly, albeit the crowd would have liked to have seen more goals. As would we. Tuesday will be a completely different challenge.”
 
Nobody doubts Wayne's pride at representing his country - it does him credit - but the problem I have with it is that he obviously cares more for England and Everton than he does for United.
 
Yeah we all fear he might play so we talk about it all the time. It's not just his performance thread the majority of the main part of the forum is Rooney threads it's sad.
It's sad that despite being completely woeful for us for several years, and doing an equally inept job for his nation, he's only now getting the criticism he deserves. Whats baffling is he still has sympathisers on the leading Manchester United Forum, why wouldn't you want the best for the team you love?
 
It's maybe sad. But you know what else is sad? How his form has gone downhill so rapidly.
It is very sad, but it's been discussed and it's boring in my opinion.
It's sad that despite being completely woeful for us for several years, and doing an equally inept job for his nation, he's only now getting the criticism he deserves. Whats baffling is he still has sympathisers on the leading Manchester United Forum, why wouldn't you want the best for the team you love?
He hasn't actually been woeful for several years but I get your point. I just think that we've all had our say now and the forum has become more about Rooney than Manchester United. There are other things to discuss.
 
It is very sad, but it's been discussed and it's boring in my opinion.

He hasn't actually been woeful for several years but I get your point. I just think that we've all had our say now and the forum has become more about Rooney than Manchester United. There are other things to discuss.

You do realise what thread you're in right?:wenger:
 
It is very sad, but it's been discussed and it's boring in my opinion.

He hasn't actually been woeful for several years but I get your point. I just think that we've all had our say now and the forum has become more about Rooney than Manchester United. There are other things to discuss.

Yeah but your last five posts since Wednesday have all been about Rooney. Instead of moaning try contributing posts about these other things you want to discuss.
 
It is very sad, but it's been discussed and it's boring in my opinion.

He hasn't actually been woeful for several years but I get your point. I just think that we've all had our say now and the forum has become more about Rooney than Manchester United. There are other things to discuss.
Look. I only go to certain threads and avoid the ones I don't want to read. Especially since it's been all doom and gloom here since Stoke and I don't think it will get better.
I agree Rooney is discussed too much but it's just that he's dragging the club down right now.
 
Yeah but your last five posts since Wednesday have all been about Rooney. Instead of moaning try contributing posts about these other things you want to discuss.
Of course they have the majority of the United threads that are active are Rooney threads
 
But we're bound to discuss it here so why come in here and moan about people moaning about shrek, and yes he's been woeful for a few years, if you don't realise this you're more a Rooney fan than a Utd fan.

I was ecstatic when he made his debut and went on to greater things but Christ he's shite now, why can't you fanboys see it!
 
I was talking about the whole forum as I said. :wenger::drool::rolleyes::cool::D:smirk::lol::wenger::eek::D:cool::D:wenger:

But we're bound to discuss it here so why come in here and moan about people moaning about shrek, and yes he's been woeful for a few years, if you don't realise this you're more a Rooney fan than a Utd fan.

I was ecstatic when he made his debut and went on to greater things but Christ he's shite now, why can't you fanboys see it!
 
It's sad that people complain about the threads as a disguised way of stopping criticism. But then, Rooney himself can't take any criticism, as we've seen recently.

Instead of whining about the number of critical and threads/posts, maybe Rooney fans should start a an Rooney appreciation thread ,moderated of course, where they can post uncritical stuff about their fallen idol. They can reminisce about the past before he became shite or even post nice stuff if he does something remotely decent.
 
It is very sad, but it's been discussed and it's boring in my opinion.

He hasn't actually been woeful for several years but I get your point. I just think that we've all had our say now and the forum has become more about Rooney than Manchester United. There are other things to discuss.
It might seem excessive but it's unprecedented, we haven't been in a situation like this before. Where a player, despite playing so poorly, is almost entirely exonerated of any blame and is continued to be held in such high regard by the media and a small clutch of fanatics. He has damaged our club and made away with a small fortune in the process. If it wasn't for the relentless pressure from fans we would probably still be living in a Rooneytopia.
 
Well said, I just Can't see how these people won't accept that he can't carry on playing until 100 years old and won't be and isn't the same player he WAS!

It might seem excessive but it's unprecedented, we haven't been in a situation like this before. Where a player, despite playing so poorly, is almost entirely exonerated of any blame and is continued to be held in such high regard by the media and a small clutch of fanatics. He has damaged our club and made away with a small fortune in the process. If it wasn't for the relentless pressure from fans we would probably still be living in a Rooneytopia.
 
And they come in here moaning that we're discussing Rooney in his performance thread :wenger:
 
Went to the game. He was decent in my opinion... yes he deserves criticism 9 times out of 10, but in that particular game he was fine.
 
Went to the game. He was decent in my opinion... yes he deserves criticism 9 times out of 10, but in that particular game he was fine.
What did he do that impresses you?
 
The Anti Rooney Mob are destroying the caf for everyone else,any excuse to have a go at him is taken,he wasn't bad today but it was a boring game to watch but not as boring as the attack on Rooney has become...
It's true what he's saying though, the entire forum is obsessed with Rooney it's boring

Maybe the so called "Rooney haters" are genuine United fans who are obsessed with seeing their beloved team get back on top where the club belongs. Rooney is not the reason we support United so I don't see how being critical of a player that doesn't further the club's progress is an issue.

What is boring is seeing so called United fans being satisfied with remarkably low standards.

Was is boring when other players like Rojo were being criticised?
 
What did he do that impresses you?

Switched the play from both angles, playing it down the left not just the right and made some decent tackles. His set pieces were decent as well. Look I am probably the biggest Rooney hater here but honestly against Malta, he was okay. Do I think he should be playing for England feck no.. would England have beaten Malta with more goals if he wasn't playing? yes but based on what is considered a decent performance by Rooney these days, it was decent by his standard.
 
Maybe the so called "Rooney haters" are genuine United fans who are obsessed with seeing their beloved team get back on top where the club belongs. Rooney is not the reason we support United so I don't see how being critical of a player that doesn't further the club's progress is an issue.

What is boring is seeing so called United fans being satisfied with remarkably low standards.

Was is boring when other players like Rojo were being criticised?
You've completely missed my point. I agree with the Rooney criticisms. I just think having about 12 threads on him and every other thread eventually coming back to him is boring.
 
Maybe the so called "Rooney haters" are genuine United fans who are obsessed with seeing their beloved team get back on top where the club belongs. Rooney is not the reason we support United so I don't see how being critical of a player that doesn't further the club's progress is an issue.

What is boring is seeing so called United fans being satisfied with remarkably low standards.

Was is boring when other players like Rojo were being criticised?

It's boring because you keep going on about the same thing,it's like it's become an obsession for you guys,let's pick on a player and criticise him.We all know that Rooney is not on form right now but booing your on player when he hasn't even had a bad game is pathetic
 
You've completely missed my point. I agree with the Rooney criticisms. I just think having about 12 threads on him and every other thread eventually coming back to him is boring.
Errm, he's the Captain of England and Manchester United. He is the poster boy. He has been poor for 3 years and his privileges get in the starting line up again and again. His chums defend him time and time again. He does not endear himself to the fans at all and comes out with some arrogant comments, again and again.

If we had Messi at our club, I can assure you that you won't be complaining of there were 10 threads a day about him.

It comes with the territory
 
It's boring because you keep going on about the same thing,it's like it's become an obsession for you guys,let's pick on a player and criticise him.We all know that Rooney is not on form right now but booing your on player when he hasn't even had a bad game is pathetic

You see your problem here, right?
 
What TV station was it on?
Did they have pre and post match chat?
Who were the pundits? And commentators?
What were they saying, pre, during and post match? Does he have to play? Was he man of the match?
 
Errm, he's the Captain of England and Manchester United. He is the poster boy. He has been poor for 3 years and his privileges get in the starting line up again and again. His chums defend him time and time again. He does not endear himself to the fans at all and comes out with some arrogant comments, again and again.

If we had Messi at our club, I can assure you that you won't be complaining of there were 10 threads a day about him.

It comes with the territory
I'm not sure why you think you can tell me what I would or wouldn't complain about. I can guarantee that in the next seven days or so (bar a big news incident) nothing new on Rooney will be said on the forum.
 
and you seem pretty damn happy that a Utd player is getting booed.enough said,its all getting boring.
I honestly don't think the majority of caftards take any pleasure in watching Rooney get booed, it just is what it is at the moment. Most of us are just dissapointed because a player that we all assumed would be the white Pele back in 2003 has turned into a caricature of a pub player.

I'll still support him and if he somehow has a blinding game against Liverpool (if he plays) then I'll be the first to cheer, but if he plays like he's on PCP then can you blame us if we're fed up?
 
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ratings-terry-butchers-verdict-on-malta-match

"Wayne Rooney - 7
He was disappointing for me. Very deep in midfield, didn't really get forward and just coasted through the game. He tried a couple of passes that didn't come off and that's not his best position, for me. "

I think this assessment sums up a lot of this debate for me - was rated a 7/10, which was better than 6 of the players used on the day but yet is still seen as disappointing. It looked like his role was not to get forward, to provide stability in the midfield and let the younger legs do the running. He made 133 / 153 passes and had 5 shots with 2 on target during the game. WhoScored rated him a 8.3 / 10.

If the English media had a thought about how their hypercritical analysis of each and every player was affecting the team, then maybe the team would be able play a bit better.
 
It's really sad to see it come to this for Rooney, but it's hard to feel sorry for him because he's too stubborn to see the writing on the wall.
How do you get that idea? He's probably more aware than anyone that he's losing/lost it.

It's like the 50-60 year old legendary drug addict singer who nervously sings each note at their comeback concert, praying that their voice holds up just a little longer. He's forced to overthink and slow down each and every thing he does on the pitch, because he doesn't trust his own abilities anymore.

The idea that Rooney is unable to see his decline is rubbish. he simply doesn't want to see his career at the top table disappear. No real crime.
 
I'm not sure why you think you can tell me what I would or wouldn't complain about. I can guarantee that in the next seven days or so (bar a big news incident) nothing new on Rooney will be said on the forum.
But surely you would agree that aside from the ReCafe, Rooney is the topic of discussion that comes in every United and England match, for the last 2 years at least. So it should not be of that there is always a Rooney thread. He is an unresolved issue across all platforms.
 
I'm not sure why you think you can tell me what I would or wouldn't complain about. I can guarantee that in the next seven days or so (bar a big news incident) nothing new on Rooney will be said on the forum.
in the past few weeks;
he announced he will retire in two years time from England (to groans of a nation)
moaned he hasn't been given a fair chance at midfield despite being in the worst form of his life
Said me might have to be a bit more selfish and think of himself (again)

And you wonder why there are Rooney threads?
 
I'm not sure why you think you can tell me what I would or wouldn't complain about.
ohh the usual irony that rooney apologisers can't see in their posts. I'm not sure why you think you can tell what is boring and what is not?
 
I think most here are not only angry at Rooney. He's been shit for a long time so it's nothing new. But it's the fact that the media and managers refuse to see the writing on the wall pisses most of us. Even Mourinho who has finally dropped him, persisted a pretty long time before doing it, and we don't know if it will continue anyway. Instead of doing what Pep did to Hart, he gave him another chance that we also don't know if it will cost us. By that I mean that Rooney is not the kind of guy that will go out quietly, I expect him to try to destabilize Mourinho's position as a manager just to get his way. You can get a hint of that in that interview he did recently.
 
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