I must agree with you alanabit, it was not only Rooney they ripped into but the Captain John Terry, Vice Captain Rio and other members of the team .Many England Managers of course, in the past have had the same treatment including Brian Robson, Terry Venables, Sven one England Manager and player after another. As you suggest they are the first to say "Come on Lads" before the first kick off, after their humiliation of the team and Manager and then have the cheek to criticise the team for not performing.
Rooney is not playing his best at all, he always wanted the ball, ran into areas where he could get it, non stop movement, superb ball control, dribbling past players exciting to watch and appreciated by lovers of the game (me for one).He now loses the ball often, he still has good passing ability and can open up a defence by this method ,but as an all round player he is not what he was. The World Cup was a disaster for him (and for us all)and much of his problems now started then.A.F demands high quality performances and is happy to give a bollocking to anyone who does not reach the standard he requires, he has proved himself a great Manager and trying to control a group of highly paid pre mad donas is not an easy task. He is under pressure however and Rooney is the answer to his problem if he plays to a high standard, as he is not doing that I suspect Rooney is getting too much ear bashing for a young guy that lives for praise and reacts against constant criticism.
Al (England Football Supporter)