The Penalty Shootout: Rooney's Injury

Welcome to the latest installment of The Penalty Shootout. In this week's edition, our pundits will discuss the impact of Wayne Rooney's broken foot on the England team as the Three Lions prepare for the World Cup.

Brian: It doesn't look good for England, Bryce. Wayne Rooney broke his foot and is out at least six weeks. You and I both saw with our own eyes at Euro 2004 how poor the England attack is without Rooney. England has a midfield full of guys who like to sit back and hit it long to Owen, and Rooney was the one guy who actually could link up with the midfield and attack with quick passing and timely runs. He's the one irreplaceable player in that team, and now he could be out for the World Cup. Even if he does make it back during the tournament, it's hard to imagine that he'll be at his best. Should we rule England out now among our favorites?

Bryce: Well, obviously the already daunting task of unseating Brazil before the likes of Italy or Germany did just get that much more difficult. I think the immediate replacement for Rooney in the starting eleven is Peter Crouch, which means playing with a much more direct approach. Ultimately, the success of that tactic will be determined by Michael Owen, assuming he regains his fitness and form. The oft-injured Magpie excelled for years with the likes of Heskey knocking the ball down to him, and Crouch from Liverpool certainly fits the description of a good target man.

Given their group, I think England can still advance to the knock-out phase. The question then becomes whether or not the prospect of Rooney (without match fitness) being available for the quarter or semifinals and beyond is enough to give him a roster spot. Rooney or no, England must believe that they can overcome this latest obstacle and compete with any nation in the world in a single-game elimination tournament.

Brian: I agree, England has the talent to overcome the loss of Rooney. At the very least, they should be able to win a fairly easy group without him. Plus they will be buoyed by the fact that Rooney could return for the knock-out phase. I think if there's any chance that Rooney could play, you have to give him a roster spot. Let's be honest - it's not like the 23rd guy on the roster, whoever that may be, is going to get any playing time. Rooney is worth the risk. He's that important.

Now, I have to disagree with you about Crouch. I just don't think he's world class. True, he could knock down some balls for Owen and give Beckham a target on crosses. But he just isn't good enough and often disappears during matches. Plus, he will make England completely a one dimensional, hit-it-long team. Just picture a hypothetical game with Owen and Crouch up front. Gerrard or Beckham will win the ball, and just hoof it long all day. England will be lucky to have 30% of the possession. England needs a forward who can run at opposing defenses. If you play Owen and Crouch up front, and Beckham and Cole on the wings, you have absolutely no team speed in your attack. As you know, I think speed is paramount, particularly on the international level. That leaves us with two options: Jermaine Defoe or Darren Bent. Play either of those guys, and you've become a little more dynamic in your attacking options.

Bryce: I still think Crouch earns the spot in the starting eleven by default. Defoe and Owen are too similar to be partnered together, if nothing else because they are too short. Defoe hasn't played much at Tottenham this year for precisely that reason- Robbie Keane has been too in-form to drop, leaving Mido as the only consistent option in attack as Captain Keane's partner. Darren Bent has shown all season an uncanny knack for finding the back of the net. But is he tested enough to play a lead role for England this summer? I'm just not sure he could do it game in-game out this summer. Could Bent or Defoe use his pace to snatch a goal or two at some point? Undoubtedly. I just think Sven will look to Crouch until he plays himself out of the team. There's just something about the possibility of Beckham's crosses having a huge target man that will prove too tempting for the soon-to-be ex-England manager.

Brian: Sadly, Sven probably will start Crouch and we'll be stuck watching the England midfield run around like chickens with their heads cut off, only to win the ball and waste possession by hoofing up yet another desperate long ball attempt to Owen and Crouch. It won't be pretty football, and England will have to hope that it can win games on class alone. I think we can probably agree on this much: there is no way that England can beat a world class team without Rooney. Remember who Sven took off before England fell apart against France at Euro 2004? Rooney. And I'm sure you remember what happened once Rooney got hurt in the quarterfinal against Portugal. The "attack" is far too one dimensional and there's no creative spark anywhere in that team, save Rooney. Lampard and Gerrard can show flashes of brilliance but neither has taken over a game on the international stage like they do for their country (partly because they don't have an anchorman in midfield sitting behind them, but that's another matter). Fortunately for England they might not have a tough opponent until the quarterfinal. Let's just hope that England is still in the tournament at that point and the lad can contribute.

Video: Rooney's Injury (courtesy www.youtube.com)




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