Rooney Will Sort Out His Demons, Insists Beckham

[Shivek]

Wayne Rooney's fragile temperament was again exposed in England's humiliating defeat by Northern Ireland but skipper David Beckham insisted the Manchester United star would have to 'handle it in his own way.'

Rooney can count himself fortunate not to have been sent off after first being booked for leading with his elbow in an aerial battle with Keith Gillespie and then making a similar challenge on Chris Baird which went unpunished.

Under-fire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted the possibility of taking Rooney off at half-time was discussed but it was decided not to take up such a drastic option for the second time in 10 months.

Rooney had been hauled off in similar circumstances shortly before the interval after seeming totally out of control during England's friendly in Spain last November.

Beckham, who was sworn at by Rooney when he urged him to calm down after his first-half tantrum, said: 'Of course, Wayne was frustrated. He showed that and that's what happens in games like this.

'If things are not going well, frustration shows and Wayne is a young player. But Wayne will handle that in his own way and he is at a club and has got a manager in Sir Alex Ferguson that can control that.'

Eriksson admitted: 'At half-time, it (taking off Rooney) was discussed but it's always a pity to take off such an important player.

'You know he can win the game for you so it's always a difficult decision to take and Wayne Rooney's discipline was good in the second half.

'He is still young so I hope he learns. It's very important as he is a very important player for us.'

Rooney's lack of discipline should not overshadow the bigger picture and on the evidence of England's single goal defeat in Belfast, they have a massive improvement to make if challenging for the 2006 World Cup is to be a realistic possibility.

Beckham admitted: 'Strong words have been said by the manager and Steve McClaren and the lads have taken it. It has been a bit embarrassing for the lads but you know we stick together that is what this team is all about.

'Of course this hurts - more than any other time probably - but we stick together. That's all we can do and if we win the next two games we will go top of the group.'

England looked clueless for lengthy periods as they slumped to their first defeat in a qualifier under Eriksson thanks to David Healy's late goal.

And for the first time the England coach had to suffer chants from a minority of fans calling for his head with England now having to overcome Austria and Poland to top their group.

Beckham said: 'It's always worrying when you hear that (the chants) leading up to the World Cup and with two games to go in qualifying.

'But that's what it is like. People have paid a lot of money to come and watch us play. We love the way the fans are but they are frustrated. It's hard for the manager to take and for the players to take but we accept it.'

[Eric Davis]

More excuses.

[lovejoy]

its great to be irish today

[Siam_superfly]

Wayne Rooney's fragile temperament was again exposed in England's humiliating defeat by Northern Ireland but skipper David Beckham insisted the Manchester United star would have to 'handle it in his own way.'

Rooney can count himself fortunate not to have been sent off after first being booked for leading with his elbow in an aerial battle with Keith Gillespie and then making a similar challenge on Chris Baird which went unpunished.

Under-fire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted the possibility of taking Rooney off at half-time was discussed but it was decided not to take up such a drastic option for the second time in 10 months.

Rooney had been hauled off in similar circumstances shortly before the interval after seeming totally out of control during England's friendly in Spain last November.

Beckham, who was sworn at by Rooney when he urged him to calm down after his first-half tantrum, said: 'Of course, Wayne was frustrated. He showed that and that's what happens in games like this.

'If things are not going well, frustration shows and Wayne is a young player. But Wayne will handle that in his own way and he is at a club and has got a manager in Sir Alex Ferguson that can control that.'

Eriksson admitted: 'At half-time, it (taking off Rooney) was discussed but it's always a pity to take off such an important player.

'You know he can win the game for you so it's always a difficult decision to take and Wayne Rooney's discipline was good in the second half.

'He is still young so I hope he learns. It's very important as he is a very important player for us.'

Rooney's lack of discipline should not overshadow the bigger picture and on the evidence of England's single goal defeat in Belfast, they have a massive improvement to make if challenging for the 2006 World Cup is to be a realistic possibility.

Beckham admitted: 'Strong words have been said by the manager and Steve McClaren and the lads have taken it. It has been a bit embarrassing for the lads but you know we stick together that is what this team is all about.

'Of course this hurts - more than any other time probably - but we stick together. That's all we can do and if we win the next two games we will go top of the group.'

England looked clueless for lengthy periods as they slumped to their first defeat in a qualifier under Eriksson thanks to David Healy's late goal.

And for the first time the England coach had to suffer chants from a minority of fans calling for his head with England now having to overcome Austria and Poland to top their group.

Beckham said: 'It's always worrying when you hear that (the chants) leading up to the World Cup and with two games to go in qualifying.

'But that's what it is like. People have paid a lot of money to come and watch us play. We love the way the fans are but they are frustrated. It's hard for the manager to take and for the players to take but we accept it.'

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where's Pro Fart and Lampard on this....or they only comment if England win ?