AW Player Analysis: "The Curious Case of Wayne Rooney"

The Curious Case of Wayne Rooney

 

In this post i will address 3 questions that need answers about 27 year old Englishman Wayne Rooney. A complex figure who in some accounts has crossed the line on and off the pitch can be amazing one match and shut down another. Here we go!!!

Question #1: Is Rooney a forward or attacking playmaker? 

Over the years we've seen a progressive rise in the way Rooney has played on the field. From his early football years as a goal hungry forward to a recessive playmaker behind the main striker he's been exceptional. But many people would still classify him as a forward, even the man himself wants to be the main striker. There's been a problem for the past year and a half at Man UTD with the inform Robin Van-Persie holding the main striker spot. New gaffer David Moyes; who coached Rooney at Everton for a year, has been playing him in a recessive role ever since he got there. Now you may think this is a bad thing but he has been amazing at this role. Putting in a man of the match performance against the likes of Chelsea FC. Here's his two performances against Chelsea to show you.

                                                                Vs Chelsea                                                               

This performance shows that he can work up and down the pitch. His passing was extremely above par vs Chelsea and it showed. Even though they ended in a draw Rooney created chance after chance. I believe now Wayne will be classified as a attacking playmaker for years to come.

Question #2: Can he control his temper?

Wayne Rooney is know to have a short temper and can diffuse at any moment it seems like. Over the past years though he has controlled himself to play out full matches, a trait he must keep to be a first-team regular. We've all seen him explode on the field and it reminds me a bit of Paul Gascoigne, for those who don't know a tenacious midfielder who draws a lot of comparisons to Wayne. In some games he has lost his temper when its not the right time to. Here's one for example:

During a 2006 World Cup Knockout-Stage match Rooney gets a red card in the 62nd minute. It seems like a fair battle with Ricardo Carvalho but replays show that he stomped on his groin. This was a huge blow for England as they ended up losing the match on penalties 3-1. Many feel that if he didn't receive that red card England would progress, but it wasn't to be. As he gets older will Rooney control himself enough to let his playing style develop in to a ballon d'or player that he can be. 

Question #3: Can Wayne Rooney be a Ballon D'or winner?

This question has been posed many times by football fans around the world. I feel that he has been on the brink of winning world player of the year on two occasions, his 34-goal season during the 2009-2010 season and another 34-goal season during the 2011-12 season. Both seasons he helped Man UTD to a trophy and played to win each time he stepped on the pitch. I'm gonna leave you guys off on a good note!

 

Credits:

1. Credit to youtube user  "WR10 - HD Player Compilations" for the use of his Wayne Rooney vs. Chelsea (HD)(26.08.13) video.

Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/WayneRooney10i?feature=watch

2. Credit to youtube user "gunnerstuffvideos" for the use of his Wayne Rooney vs Swansea video.

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qvLgkcVQutg 

3. Credit to youtube user "MrRezigrene" for the use of his Wayne Rooney bicycle kick. Best Quality video.

Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/MrRezigrene?feature=watch  

© AaronWilliamsRBSJORNALISM

3-1-1-2-3 "Custom Formations" Part 1

3-1-1-2-3

"Your nontraditional Italian 3-back"

Intro:

Traditional Italian formations of Juve and Napoli.

Juventes & Napoli:

You've seen the resurgence of the 3-Back in Italy in recent year’s right? This system or formation has been a potent formula for success in the past 2-3 years for both Napoli and Juventes. Juve’s success has been evident and they have been on the rise ever since the Calciopoli Match Fixing Scandal. As you see above Juve use a modified 3-5-2 that can be unpredictable.

They operate with 3 centre-backs, all which push up at times leaving two or even one centre back there for support. They could be classified as a BPD (Ball Playing Defender) in this formation. You then move up to the midfielders and reach the ever so present Andrea Pirlo. We all know his job and that is to create a connection line between the defense/midfield. He “spits” balls left and right across the pitch to create scoring chances for everyone. He also holds a bit of the defensive workload as well. Here’s where it gets complicated, Juve play with 2 wingers out wide on the pitch. These two wingers can be classified as “Defensive Wingers”, they run up and down their respective flanks performing their defensive and attacking duties. They spread the pitch wide so the centre-mids can “spit” balls to them. The two centre-mids sort of do the same things as Pirlo, but they are more box-to-box and attack-minded. 

The final two players in this extensive explanation of this formation are Giovinco and Vucinic. The atomic ant’s role is to connect with the centre-mids, flanks, and the lone attacker. The reason why this isn’t called the 3-5-1-1 is because Gio is sort of an “engache”. He’s a classic false 9 and helps to supply the lone forward. The forwards job is to be a target and create runs along the forward line. As I explained before about this formation Napoli is basically the same. The only difference is that they play a flat 3 centre-mids instead of a triangle like Juve.

The formation:

 GK:

The keeper is there to fend for himself. Just kidding the keeper should be a passing option for the whole team.

Centre-Backs:

I’ve placed 3 in the back, but the catch is that they are more together. I chose to do something different instead of them being spread out. Preferably you would want a mobile CB who can play the ball from the back in the center. He is the one who should be considered BPD (Ball Playing Defender). The outside defenders should be able to control the ball under pressure and be able to play the ball up front as well.

Defensive Mid:

This role is crucial as you need a reliable player back there. This player should be able to “spit” the ball up to the midfielders and forwards. Preferably like a Pirlo or sort of a De Rossi at Roma. This player should be deeper lying to support the defense.

Center Mid:

This position is also crucial because this is where the defense fully connects to the offense. The only difference is that this player is in a more advanced position. This player is also a deep lying mid too.

Playmakers/Engaches: 

In an ideal Football world you would want some of the best playmakers in history; Riquelme, Zidane, Bergkamp, etc. This can work at any squad so try to find a player suitable for these roles. These two players need to be deceptive with the ball and put deadly through balls at key moments. The reason why this is crucial is because they need to help play good balls to the three up front. These two players could be played a box-to-box mids too.


The Three Forwards:  

This is where everything comes into play. You have a centre forward who is a Trequartista and helps the playmakers out with passing. This player should be creative in the attack and help score goals too. The two outside forwards operate as inside forwards. The break inside when the centre forward drops deep. These two outside players should be able to dribble the ball effectively and put in deadly crosses when needed.



Conclusion:

BY AARON WILLIAMS

© AaronWilliamsRBSJORNALISM