John Rooney sends a message about setting and maintaining ‘standards’ as Silks secure a 3-0 win over Newcastle Town.
Even though the Silkmen went into the break one goal to the good against Newcastle Town thanks to a D’Mani Mellor finish from close range, manager John Rooney was dissatisfied with his team’s first-half performance. Still, he was pleased to see an improvement in ‘standard’ in the second period.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half. The standard from the lads, what I expect of them, was nowhere near it.
“We were playing too slow, playing around the back too slow, and we weren’t gaining many yards with it.
“I let them know at half-time what I expected from them and that I wasn’t happy.
“If they want to play for me and think I will be accepting that (the standard) in the first half, there’s no chance,” said Rooney.
With some rotation from the bench during halftime, the 34-year-old was more positive about his side’s output after a goal from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and a converted penalty from Justin Johnson put Macclesfield three ahead.
“The second half was pleasing; there were some really good bits.
“Isaac Buckley-Ricketts got his first goal with a great run and a great weight of pass from Danny (Whitehead).
“That was the difference in the second half (the pace of play), and that led to Isaac’s goal and JJ (Justin Johnson) winning and scoring the penalty.
“I was a bit annoyed in the first half, but I was more pleased with the second half performance.
“I had a chat with both teams, because we fielded two (different) 11s, and just let them know that the standards (in the first half) won’t be staying with me. If they play like that, they won’t be playing under me, but I think they know that.”
Macclesfield’s next test will be Premier League side Manchester United, and the brother of Old Trafford legend Wayne Rooney is keen to set a good standard on a Premier League pitch.
“It’s about getting minutes in the legs so that we are ready for the ninth of August, but we still want things done right.
“I spoke to the lads before the game tonight and just said that we need to keep the standards, whether it is a team above us or a couple of leagues below us.
“When we go to Man United on Thursday, I guarantee all the lads can’t wait to be there and play, but we just need to keep them (high) standards and that’s the main thing I am trying to get through to the lads,” said Rooney.
Rooney’s men travel to Carrington on Thursday, July 17, kick-off 12 pm with the fixture being behind closed doors.
By Ben Grundy
