Following Saturday’s disastrous 0-0 draw with Rotherham United, Wayne Rooney was enraged with his Birmingham City teammates.
Following Birmingham City’s Saturday defeat to Rotherham United, Wayne Rooney angrily challenged some of his players to “grow a pair of balls” at a press conference.
After a dull performance in front of investor Tom Brady and owner Tom Wagner, who travelled from the United States to witness their squad, the Blues manager became furious. The Blues were lucky that Rotherham was unable to capitalise on their gaffe-filled backfield to cause more injury.
Blues have played eight games since Rooney took over for John Eustace in October, and their record of one victory, two draws, and five losses puts them at the bottom of the Championship’s form table. The former manager of Derby County and DC United is also fed up with the Blues players’ inability to carry over their positive training-field performances onto the pitch.
“Basically, based on what I’m seeing in training, I think some of those players need to grow a pair of balls because they change as a player and as a person the moment they see fans,” Rooney remarked. That’s how football works. No matter where you play, you will have to perform in front of an audience.
“You have to carry it over into the games, but it’s acceptable to do things on the training pitch. Even though our team is still young, Jukey (Jutkiewicz) has shown himself to be an excellent leader. Despite his frustration at not being able to play every game, you can see he is a leader because he is speaking there.
However, some players possess sufficient experience to take charge and assume a leadership role. Though they are making foolish mistakes in their decision-making, they are trying. We need to make significant improvements in the game’s game management.
Even though he was furious and upset, Rooney spoke calmly throughout the press conference. Throughout his limited career with the Blues, he has also shown composure on the touchline in trying situations.
He clarified, “As a manager, I’m nothing like I was as a player.” I may be observing the game calmly from the sidelines. However, the players are aware of my expectations and will not play if they are not met.
“And they won’t be at this football club if they don’t play. We’ll bring in several players. We are all aware that the players know exactly what I expect of them, what I want from them, and what I expect of myself.
“We are working hard to improve, and I’m confident that we will, but in the meanwhile, it’s critical that the players recognise when their performance isn’t up to par. That is my duty. I hope that today was an anomaly because I need to make sure they are better than they were today.
