Wayne Rooney left in no doubt he’s lost right to be England's big man

 
Moving story: Rooney uncertain of role in Hodgson's side
James Olley4 June 2014

Some experts have questioned Roy Hodgson’s ability to make big decisions but tonight he can underline there is growing evidence to the contrary.

Former England international Paul Scholes may have been among those sceptical of Hodgson’s ruthlessness on the most controversial issues, chiefly whether he lacked the “balls” to omit Wayne Rooney should the striker’s form decline or his fitness not improve.

Rooney will play here in the Sun Life Stadium against Ecuador this evening but not in his preferred central position behind the main forward. The Manchester United striker is likely to be switched to the left flank to accommodate Ross Barkley in an advanced midfield role.

It is a change that Scholes will no doubt greet with familiarity, given the midfielder’s marginalisation on the left under Sven-Goran Eriksson — a move that in part prompted his subsequent retirement from England — but more importantly it underlines that Hodgson will not be unduly influenced by reputation or stature in the way that perhaps Fabio Capello and certainly Eriksson once was.

Hodgson’s decision to leave out Ashley Cole and not countenance the returns of Rio Ferdinand or John Terry, albeit with the latter proposal beset by additional complications, was a statement of authority that has continued into England’s training camp in the United States.

Of course, Hodgson is no merciless authoritarian but players frequently mention discipline when asked to list his most important traits as a coach and his likely team selection tonight further emphasises he has a clear path and is unafraid to pursue his own ideas. Quite right, too.

Where it leaves Rooney is another matter entirely. A player who once would have had a team tailored to his every need now finds his position decidedly uncertain.

It still remains probable that Rooney will start against Italy in 10 days’ time but the fact Hodgson was at pains last night to describe the 28-year-old as merely one member of the squad is evidence of how Rooney no longer stands alone as “the big man in town” he once described himself.

Despite a willingness to engage with the media and supporters — tomorrow he will face the unrestricted scrutiny of 80 England fans during a question-and-answer session at a bar here in Miami — he will not necessarily bend to the popular consensus.

James Milner’s deployment at right-back may in part be an admission of lacking alternatives in that position but it is an experiment worth trying. England coach Gary Neville’s expertise in the role would suggest his imprint on such a move but even there, Hodgson made reference to the fact that “I played at full-back as well — it may not look like it and I wasn’t as good as Gary but I know a little bit about the position”.

Similarly, the clamour for Raheem Sterling to start was met with the answer of a man with the courage of his convictions. “If I concentrate totally on where the clamour is, I’d be changing my team every other moment,” he said.

“With respect, the clamour does change. You don’t have to have any doubts about how we feel about Raheem Sterling. We feel he’s an exceptional player and we’re hoping he’ll be a very useful cog in our wheel at this World Cup.”

Barkley’s inclusion against Ecuador tonight generates excitement, given the verve and quality with which he performed at Everton last season. There is a sense Hodgson is malleable in his thinking and he has successfully transmitted the message to all 23 squad members that game-time in Brazil is a realistic possibility. “You’re not going to get me to start making those differentiations — ‘This one, whatever he does, he’s got no chance, this one, whatever he does he’s nailed on.’ I’ve chosen a squad of players. If we do well at the World Cup, we’ll be calling on all of them at some stage,” said the England coach.

“The reason I’ve chosen the young players and I’ve said this to them as well is that ‘you’re here on merit, I didn’t choose you because you’re enjoying a moment of fame, you’re getting good reviews in the papers and people are excited about you because, as yet, you haven’t had a chance to fail on the big stage.

“I’ve chosen you because I think you’ve got the ability to be a top-class player at this moment in time.

“They’ll get their chance to show what they can do, in games and training. There are certain players who have played more in qualifying, certain ones who have brought plenty to qualifying, others who are nailed on starters in the team... I have the same view as you.

“The good thing is we have two more preparation games. We are using these as preparation games. We’re not building our hopes for these. I hope I’ll see the players playing well.”

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