Rooney the Typically 60's English man

Wayne Rooney posseses the attribute that most players seem to lack in football these days, balls. He is a hard working player that is not scared to show he cares about the game. Whether Rooney plays upfront or as a leftback, i would always have him in my team until he reaches 35.

I kind of noticed this when I was going over some of the stats for players. It seems more and more players from back in the old school days did a ton more scores than lately - am I the only one that noticed this? Did the rules become more strict or are the players just not as good as the originals?

Rooney was raised in the old school ways of the game. So many of the "celebs" of the sport get so caught up in the marketing and merchandising that comes with their fame that they lose the focus of what got them there. Rooney is very old school in his commitment to the game first.

I think in just about any sport, players get caught up in the money, fame and greed. It really makes me want to watch sports less, makes me lose some faith in the whole reason it started (love of the game).

Rooney is Rooney, I don't really try to compare him to any other player or era. He does his own thing, and he's very good at it. What more has to be said than that? I don't really care for the man, but I respect him all the same.

is that you don't like his style of play or that you think he is not as good as the hype?

I agree with wt10. Today's players are more concentrated on their popularity that the love of the game is nearly lost. They make their skills to be known in order for them to get the publicity they wanted. This is different with Rooney, he just plays for the sake of playing football.

the purity of sports for the sake and love of the game is gone in most cases. It is different than when many of grew up. It was always a business for the owners, but now it is a business for so many of the players also

I don't do well with popularity contests, and for the most part, people that do I just want to smack lightly and remind them that looks and being popular are not everything. A friend one day at work randomly saying a phrase and I truly love it. "Now, don't think I wont hit you cuz your POP-U-LAR". I think that applies here, atleast for me it does.

I like Rooney alright actually, but he's not one of my personal favorites. Even still, he's interesting to watch in action. Heck, I would even call him one of the best players in the game today!