[funkdoctorspock]

Is Pele correct in stating that Rooney needs to control his temper if he is truly to fulfill his capabilities as a footballer?

Or does Rooney's temperment go hand in hand with his game?

Poll added.

Pele has warned Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney that he must learn to control his temper if he is to become a world class player.

Rooney has been criticised for his aggressive approach in United's 1-1 draw with South African outfit Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

The England striker received a yellow card for a rash challenge on Tinashe Nengomashe, while Onismor Bhasera claims he was elbowed.

And Brazilian legend Pele believes Rooney, who was substituted after one hour, must learn to control his physical approach in order to reproduce his form of four years ago.

"I like Wayne Rooney, but he hasn't reached the peak of Euro 2004 again," said Pele.

Attack

"He had two or three very good years and then lost a little bit in his performances. I don't know why.

"When he's tangling with opponents, Rooney has to learn how to defend himself - not attack the opponent.

"If you can protect yourself against challenges, it will be easier to keep your temper.

"It should be possible because referees also help strikers now.

"Once a defender gets a yellow card, he knows one more tackle could see him sent off so they don't make another bad challenge."

Source

[HunsingerUK]

Pele needs to watch a few more United matches. I disagree that he has lost his skills. If anything, he needs to be a bit more selfish if he wants to achieve what people expect from him.

[mg91]

I think it's a delicate thing. You don't want him picking up silly bookings but at the same time, you don't want him to lose his competitive streak. But I don't think theres any danger of that though.

He's still young though, lots of time to improve. He just needs to become a bit more clinical in the box. He misses to many chances in my book, and even though he works his ass off for the team, at the end of the day he's a striker, and he needs to score more often.

[moley]

Originally Posted by mg91

I think it's a delicate thing. You don't want him picking up silly bookings but at the same time, you don't want him to lose his competitive streak. But I don't think theres any danger of that though.

He's still young though, lots of time to improve. He just needs to become a bit more clinical in the box. He misses to many chances in my book, and even though he works his ass off for the team, at the end of the day he's a striker, and he needs to score more often.

I agree with that. He picks up to many silly bookings for mouthing off to officials I'd like to see that aspect of his behaviour cleaned up.

[lorken]

It just wouldn't be Rooney without the occational overpowered miss-timed tackles and the shouting at the referee, that's all part of his game. I don't think he needs to cut down on thoose things, what he needs to do is score with his chances because he is a striker, he loves to score and when he doesn't he gets frustrated thats why he can boil over sometimes. If he was to score when he gets his chances i think he would calm down natrually as the pressure would decrease.

[PaperCut]

I think the shouting at the referee is more serious than his way of playing. He played a good season but was not as selfish as he should be, which followed into a season without as many goals as some hoped, but he was good for the team and had good days and bad days, just like any other player. I think if he would be not as aggressive on the field as he is now, it would totally change his way of playing and maybe sometimes he just forgets that he's playing for a real team and not on the streets any more. At the moment it doesn't seem like a real danger for me, there were games this season where I thought "okay take him off NOW or he's losing his temper totally" but Scholes had it too and so did Keane back in his days, and as long as it doesn't happen too often I think he and the team can handle it.

[3000Something]

I think that Pele is partially correct, Rooney does sometimes go overboard with his anger, but he wouldn't be Rooney if he wasn't giving it his all. There is a danger of calming him down too much, however. If he looses his fire, he just wouldn't be the same player that he is. I agree with HunsingerUK, if there was anything that Rooney could improve on, it would be that he needs to be more selfish.