Rooney will enlist psychiatrist to kick-start World Cup
theguardian
Wayne Rooney will enlist Liverpool psychiatrist to kick-start World Cup
Dr Steve Peters talk impresses England striker
Decision comes as Paul Scholes questions Rooneys longevity
Wayne Rooney has said he will see Dr Steve Peters, the Liverpool club psychiatrist recruited by the Football Association, to help him deal with the pressures of the World Cup and repair the tournament form that has led to Paul Scholes, his former Manchester United team-mate, questioning whether the forward should be an automatic pick in Roy Hodgsons side.
Rooney was impressed by Peters speech to the England squad during their training camp at Vale do Lobo and has spoken to Steven Gerrard, Liverpools captain, about the benefits of working with a man who has also been instrumental in the careers of Ronnie OSullivan, Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.
Rooney admitted his tournament record had been poor since Euro 2004 and was open to the idea, as Scholes had suggested, that he might have suffered more from the pressures of being Englands key player than he had actually realised.
When youre going into a tournament, you believe youre going to do well, so you dont really feel that pressure, but maybe inside you are, and you just dont realise, Rooney said.
The manager has brought him [Peters] in for us. Its not something where you have to do it. He made it clear that hes not here to be going around the players all the time. If we want to see him, we can, and after hearing his speech, Ill certainly speak to him and see if it can benefit me. Theres no harm in that. Its interesting. If it can give me an extra couple of per cent, its worth doing. So Ill speak to him and see how it goes and if its worth continuing.
Rooney, confirming that he had fully recovered from his groin injury, accepted the criticisms surrounding his performances in major tournaments I know when I have played badly, he said and that there would be no excuses if it continued in Brazil. He also admitted that this tournament really is the last big one for a player of his age.
However, Scholes believes the 28-year-old may have peaked two years ago a statement that questions the wisdom of United awarding him a five-year contract and suggested that Hodgson may have to consider leaving him out. Im not saying Wayne needs to be dropped but if form doesnt get up to scratch in the warm-ups, or in the first game of the World Cup, it will be interesting to see if the England management team has the balls to make that decision.
Scholes questioned whether Rooney was suffering from burnout and went as far as saying his former colleague might be a player whod retire come 31 or 32, given the amount of football hes played.
He added: Wayne was in the Everton team at 16 years of age, in 2003. Since then hes played at Euro 2004, two World Cups, Premier League and Champions League every year at United. Theres a chance hes worn out. Waynes peak may have been a lot younger than wed expect of footballers traditionally. Age 28 or 29 has been the normal peak. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-2012, when he was 26.
Hes got a brilliant scoring record for his country, with 38 goals in 89 internationals, but hes played in eight World Cup games without a goal. You expect more of him. If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce.
Rooney was speaking before Scholess comments, in a World Cup blog for a bookmaker, came to light, and said he wanted to take over as Uniteds captain now Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand had left the club and Ryan Giggs had retired. He is aware that Louis van Gaal, the new United manager, is more likely to give the armband to Robin van Persie, and Rooney said he would not hold a grievance.
I feel Im ready for it but its the managers decision. If he chooses someone else, then honestly Ive no problems with that. Ill respect the decision.
Scholes believes Rooney might struggle to get into the United side, describing him as a player who likes to be up front on his own and I dont think hes great with partnerships.
He also recommended that Rooney thinks about adapting his game to become a midfielder, and use his energy more effectively if he wants to extend his career into his mid-30s.
The former England midfielder, who does not expect a role at Old Trafford next season, added: It will be interesting next season with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United and how he decides to play Wayne. It looks like it might come to a straight choice between Wayne and Robin van Persie.
Rooney said he was aware that Van Gaal would be monitoring his performances in the World Cup. When a new manager comes in, you always feel you have to prove yourself again. You dont know what ideas he has got or how he wants to play.
Dr Steve Peters talk impresses England striker
Decision comes as Paul Scholes questions Rooneys longevity
Wayne Rooney has said he will see Dr Steve Peters, the Liverpool club psychiatrist recruited by the Football Association, to help him deal with the pressures of the World Cup and repair the tournament form that has led to Paul Scholes, his former Manchester United team-mate, questioning whether the forward should be an automatic pick in Roy Hodgsons side.
Rooney was impressed by Peters speech to the England squad during their training camp at Vale do Lobo and has spoken to Steven Gerrard, Liverpools captain, about the benefits of working with a man who has also been instrumental in the careers of Ronnie OSullivan, Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.
Rooney admitted his tournament record had been poor since Euro 2004 and was open to the idea, as Scholes had suggested, that he might have suffered more from the pressures of being Englands key player than he had actually realised.
When youre going into a tournament, you believe youre going to do well, so you dont really feel that pressure, but maybe inside you are, and you just dont realise, Rooney said.
The manager has brought him [Peters] in for us. Its not something where you have to do it. He made it clear that hes not here to be going around the players all the time. If we want to see him, we can, and after hearing his speech, Ill certainly speak to him and see if it can benefit me. Theres no harm in that. Its interesting. If it can give me an extra couple of per cent, its worth doing. So Ill speak to him and see how it goes and if its worth continuing.
Rooney, confirming that he had fully recovered from his groin injury, accepted the criticisms surrounding his performances in major tournaments I know when I have played badly, he said and that there would be no excuses if it continued in Brazil. He also admitted that this tournament really is the last big one for a player of his age.
However, Scholes believes the 28-year-old may have peaked two years ago a statement that questions the wisdom of United awarding him a five-year contract and suggested that Hodgson may have to consider leaving him out. Im not saying Wayne needs to be dropped but if form doesnt get up to scratch in the warm-ups, or in the first game of the World Cup, it will be interesting to see if the England management team has the balls to make that decision.
Scholes questioned whether Rooney was suffering from burnout and went as far as saying his former colleague might be a player whod retire come 31 or 32, given the amount of football hes played.
He added: Wayne was in the Everton team at 16 years of age, in 2003. Since then hes played at Euro 2004, two World Cups, Premier League and Champions League every year at United. Theres a chance hes worn out. Waynes peak may have been a lot younger than wed expect of footballers traditionally. Age 28 or 29 has been the normal peak. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-2012, when he was 26.
Hes got a brilliant scoring record for his country, with 38 goals in 89 internationals, but hes played in eight World Cup games without a goal. You expect more of him. If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce.
Rooney was speaking before Scholess comments, in a World Cup blog for a bookmaker, came to light, and said he wanted to take over as Uniteds captain now Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand had left the club and Ryan Giggs had retired. He is aware that Louis van Gaal, the new United manager, is more likely to give the armband to Robin van Persie, and Rooney said he would not hold a grievance.
I feel Im ready for it but its the managers decision. If he chooses someone else, then honestly Ive no problems with that. Ill respect the decision.
Scholes believes Rooney might struggle to get into the United side, describing him as a player who likes to be up front on his own and I dont think hes great with partnerships.
He also recommended that Rooney thinks about adapting his game to become a midfielder, and use his energy more effectively if he wants to extend his career into his mid-30s.
The former England midfielder, who does not expect a role at Old Trafford next season, added: It will be interesting next season with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United and how he decides to play Wayne. It looks like it might come to a straight choice between Wayne and Robin van Persie.
Rooney said he was aware that Van Gaal would be monitoring his performances in the World Cup. When a new manager comes in, you always feel you have to prove yourself again. You dont know what ideas he has got or how he wants to play.
