Rooney in pundits' firing line after loss to Italy

That second half chance could have made all the difference. At World Cup level you have to make those kind of chances count.

Yeh as an Italy fan I thought for sure Rooney would score there but he dragged it wide. After that it was pretty comfortable to defend against England.

Can't really blame Rooney, the manager is Hodgson. He's an idiot. Why does he even have the job? England constantly employing dolts like him is the reason they never win anything. I can't wait for England to crash out, and for Hodgson to get the boot.

Scholes is probably right about Rooney being past his best but England have always piled unrealistic expectations on players. He's a good player but not one good enough to do it at international level against the very best teams - pretty much all players apart from Sterling yesterday. Everyone is focusing on his miss but it's worth remembering that Italy hit the bar, post and had one off the line. If England qualify for Russia, the likes of Shaw, Barkley and Sterling will no doubt have huge expectations piled on them.

Played out of position but still has the quality to score or create a chance that can turn a game... English media are always after new targets and need to get behind the team instead of constantly laying into them at every chance.

Its not that Rooney is anyone's firing line, its just that better players have emerged in the two positions he can play (9 and 10), those being Sterling and Sturridge, probably Barkley too. The only time he played well wide was for Man U when they had Ronaldo and used to completely dominate teams. With England unlikely to do that it won't work with him out wide. That's all people are saying. You could tell from the Japanese commentary during the England game they still think he's England's main man - so not true - no England fans think that any more.

Colleen is coming to Brazil to put some pep into him. Play him centrally. amazing thing is England lost (and Italy are noty a great side by any measure) and the UK press is happy!!!!

Rooney should maybe used as a impact player from the bench. Sterling could shift out left (plays there for Liverpool) and Lallana start sitting behind Sturridge instead if Rooney. There is too much pressure on Rooney which is obviously effecting his performance..

cant blame it all on Rooney, after all the England team does S$%k

Probie -

Can't really blame Rooney, the manager is Hodgson. He's an idiot

I'd wager you had to google first to find out who England's manager is before posting your comment.