i noticed it at the game, as did a couple of lads behind me. it's great to see that coming on at 2-0 up, still in 1st gear, that he has the professionalism and enthusiasm to drive the team on, knowing that 4 or 5 goals might be there for the taking if we up the tempo a bit. it epitomizes why i love rooney to be honest.
captain?
as has been said, he's had it a couple of times, but only really in games where the others have been rested. i recall coventry?
and yes he is vocal enough to be captain, and he certainly leads by example in terms of ability. rio is certainly ahead of him, and i think that someone like that, who plays in the middle or at the back is the best choice generally.
i know that an inspirational performance can lift a team, but if rooney is to be playing up front for us, you would rather someone like rio in defence, to be watching the game, making sure the defence is holding its line, people doing the right things etc. that's the captain's job. it's the reason why you rarely see a great captain who plays up front.
cantona the exception of course.
finally, if he were to have any chance, he needs to lead by example attitude-wise also. if he's having a swipe at someone, or kicking out when fouled, it's hardly the example that we want the captain to set.
just read above, about the aggression that was such a part of cantona and keane's game. i agree that removing aggression from wayne completely would do more harm than good. but you rarely saw keane do something for the sake of it. he always felt he could justify himself, whether protecting his team, or attending to personal business. rooney isn't doing that yet. if he was, i would be applauding it
