Wayne Rooney admits he will adapt his “no-fear football” philosophy at Birmingham after a 2-0 defeat to Hull because his players cannot do it.
Liam Delap’s 12th-minute goal and a superb solo effort from Jaden Philogene made it a miserable St Andrew’s debut for Rooney, who has lost his first two games in charge, up against his former Derby assistant Liam Rosenior.
“You need to be brave in taking the ball, but it’s clear from the first two games that the players aren’t comfortable doing that,” said Birmingham manager Rooney.
“So there will be slight adjustments of course because we need to pick up points as well.
“I can get players up the pitch, boot the ball up the pitch and look to pick up second balls, but we need to get the balance right.
“This is on me – maybe I’ve asked them to do too much and I take that responsibility. We’re asking them to play out from the back and be more front-footed.
“I said to the lads after the game ‘if you don’t feel you can do it, tell me, and we can adjust and adapt’.
“There’s so many different elements to no-fear football. They’ve had snots and guts for the last 10 years and it’s been very difficult.
“But it’s not going to change within two weeks when the players haven’t been used to a completely different way.
“As I’m getting to know players’ strengths and weaknesses, we will find that balance to ensure we get it right.”
Fans made their feelings known to Rooney at the end of the game while the team was booed off at half-time and full-time.
“That’s part of football. You need to win games to change that,” said Rooney.
Rosenior said Birmingham fans need to be patient with Rooney as he will turn things around.
“I’d be excited if I was a Birmingham fan because I worked with him for a long time. I know his qualities as a manager and a coach,” he said.
“I ask for Birmingham fans to give him time because I know Wayne and he will get it completely right.
“He’s got so many qualities – when you had the intelligence Wayne had as a player and see how he sees the game, he’s top in the way he understands players, he makes players feel really confident in the way they play, but once he gets that time, I’m sure he will be successful.”
Rosenior said his gameplan worked a treat.
“A legend has just walked into the club so we knew we had to take the sting out of the game,” he added.
“The first goal came from really good pressing that we worked on with Liam Delap, Scott Twine and Adama Traore. After that we had complete control.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Thank you Chiesa What a game !! 🔥Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth Liverpool, Isak & Newcastle Damn, look who’s second already Only the real ones will remember.. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have been drawn in the SAME group as Virat Kohli’s FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2! What was your reaction when you watched that match? Please stay tuned o...
Barcelona eye late move for VlahovicBarcelona could emerge as a surprise destination for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic before the transfer window shuts, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Serie A giants are eager to part ways with the Serbian international, who has just one year left on his deal at the Allianz Stadium. Offloading the 25-year-old now would prevent Juve from losing him on a fr...
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United FC: Premier League Summer SeriesAccording to Fabrizio Romano, several clubs are showing interest in the Mexico captain.FBL-CONCACAF-GOLDCUP-MEX-USAWHAT HAPPENED?Mexico national team captain Edson Álvarez is reportedly expected to depart West Ham before the current transfer window shuts, according to Fabrizio Romano. El Machín joined the Hammers from Ajax...
Chelsea FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier LeagueChelsea boss Enzo Maresca has reiterated his desire to sign a new defender to cover for the injured Levi Colwill.WHAT HAPPENED?After Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will rule him out for much of the season, head coach Maresca urged Chelsea to sign a new centre-back. Those "priority" calls may have fallen on deaf ears as t...
Sesko vs GyokeresThe strikers will be the headline acts in Sunday's blockbuster match at Old Trafford but they could easily have ended up at opposite destinationsCesc Fabregas throwing pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson. Gary Neville scissor-tackling Jose Antonio Reyes. Roy Keane telling Patrick Vieira "I'll see you out there". Peter Schmeichel taking on Ian Wright after having his leg stamped on. It was ...
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BOURNEMOUTHArne Slot says he "would have loved" to have brought on Diogo Jota in a heartbreaking admission following Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday.WHAT HAPPENED?The Reds found themselves in search of a late winner after their two-goal lead was wiped out by a second-half double from Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo on the opening night of the 2025-2...
Arsenal v Newcastle: Pre-Season FriendlyJamie Carragher has made a surprising claim against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, insisting the Spaniard "definitely stole" Martin Zubimendi away from Liverpool. The ex-Real Sociedad midfielder, who had been on the Reds’ radar for over a year, shocked many by snubbing Merseyside in favour of a blockbuster £51 million ($69m) switch to the Emirates thi...
Liverpool signing Leoni: I want to learn from Van DijkLiverpool signing Giovanni Leoni is eager to learn from captain Virgil van Dijk.The former Parma defender joined the Reds on Friday morning ahead of their opening Premier League win against Bournemouth that evening.On the prospect of working with Van Dijk, Leoni said: "For me, he is the best defender in the world and I want to meet him as soon ...
Chelsea tell Borussia Dortmund to get serious about ChukwuemekaBorussia Dortmund have failed with a new offer for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.After a successful loan over the second-half of last season in Dortmund, Chukwuemeka has attracted a new proposal from the Germans.BBC Sport says BVB have made a loan-to-buy offer for the England U21 international this week.However Chelsea have rej...
Fans at Anfield lifted cards to create mosaics in tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. Michael Steele/Getty ImagesLiverpool launched the defense of their Premier League title with a dramatic 4-2 win against Bournemouth on a night when Anfield paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota. Goals from Federico Chiesa (88th minute) and Mohamed Salah (94th) sealed victory after Bournemouth's Antoine Semen...
- 1 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 2 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 3 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 8 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 9 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 10 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka