Simon Barratt

Can you look at yourself in the mirror?

So, England's World Cup has come to an end.  I can't believe, that once again, penalties decided our fate.  We played better against Portugal, but I still wonder about the logic of leaving Rooney on his own.  Now that Sven has moved on. maybe we can revisit having two strikers on the pitch!  We created chances, and should of scored on a couple of occasions, even after Rooney had been sent off.  The penalties were a joke.  Hargreeves was the only one who gave it a good welly, the rest seemed content to just pass it to the goalkeeper!  I just don't get it!  The Germans (against Argentina) showed you how to take penalties.

And then there was Rooney's red card.  That was a highly contentious decision, to say the least.  Rooney had been playing the ball, and taking a lot of assault from 2-3 Portuguese players.  He probably could of fallen and claimed a foul.  Ultimately, the play comes to an end and Rooney's foot comes down on the crotch of a prone Portuguese player.  From where I was looking, it looked like he just put his foot back to stop him from falling backwards.  Ronaldo was there to make sure that anyone close by would see it a malicious stamp, and the next thing we know Rooney is given his marching orders.  I doubt Christiano Ronaldo will be able to look at himself in the mirror in the morning.  Not only was the harassment of the referee poor form, but to actively pursue the worst for your club team mate, is unbelievable.  I can only wonder at the type of reception he will get when he returns to England and resume playing for Manchester United.  And, too add insult to injury, once Rooney gets the red card he then walks off and winks to his teams mates ("Job Done!").

We've seen the official statements, but I heard all I needed to hear when Rooney said "..am disappointed he [Ronaldo] chose to get involved."   I just hope the French can send them home when they meet up, in the Semi's.

Check out the video below, and you be the judge!  Oh, and for those looking for some objective analysis click here!!!!