Rooney: England focus
Wayne Rooney will use England's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan to get the UEFA Champions League misery out of his system.
The Manchester United striker and his Old Trafford team-mates were outclassed in Rome on May 27th as Barcelona claimed a 2-0 victory.
Rather than dwell on their showpiece slump, Rooney has the opportunity to refocus as England prepare for their fixtures in Kazakhstan and then at home to Andorra the following Wednesday.
Fabio Capello's men have a 100 per cent record from their opening five games in Group Six and will be on the brink of qualification for South Africa 2010 if they can take six points from their next two games.
"We were disappointed to lose the game," Rooney said. "To be honest, we decided to forget about it the next day and try to concentrate on these England games.
"I'm delighted now I have a chance to put that to the back of my mind. It would be nice to get a win with England and a goal or two. We're looking forward to this game.
"It's not too difficult (to focus) because it is two World Cup qualifiers for your country and a massive opportunity to qualify so I'm looking forward to it.
"Six points from these two games and then we are a win away from qualifying. That is our aim, to try to do that. That would be brilliant for us to start preparing for the World Cup."
Rooney's starting role is as a forward, just behind Emile Heskey, until he interchanges mid-match with Steven Gerrard on the left flank.
"We've worked on it a lot," Rooney said. "We've spoken, me and Steven, and we're enjoying it. We're getting involved. We're scoring goals, making goals. Hopefully that can continue.
"I've really enjoyed it. Emile has done a great job holding the ball up and it gives the likes of me and Steven the chance to get in space, get on the ball and do what we like doing best - scoring goals and creating goals.
"That is how it's been for the last few games."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| 13:30 | Everton vs Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Portsmouth vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Man Utd |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Hull 3 - 3 West Ham | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Wolverhampton | |
| Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Man Utd 3 - 0 Everton | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Fulham | |
| Burnley 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
Pictures from Saturday's action where Liverpool draw with Man City and Arsenal lose away.
Take a look back at what Liverpool and Man City fans had to say following a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Carlo Ancelotti was delighted after Chelsea beat Wolves 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to maintain their dominance at the top of the table.
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the top of the table as Arsenal lost to Sunderland and Manchester City held Liverpool.
Arsene Wenger says that his side were punished for a lack of mental preparation against Sunderland.
Steve Bruce feels that Sunderland have put their run of bad luck to rest after beating Arsenal.
Sir Alex Ferguson called on his side to put more pressure on Chelsea following the win over Everton.