Dein erstes Forum » nder Jamie Carragher thinks Rooney may have to

BOSTON -- As Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen weaved his way through the Boston Red Sox lineup in the eighth and ninth innings Monday, a little piece of him flashed back to his boyhood in Florida. Allen took the mound in Game 3 of the American League Division Series without his best fastball or command. But as he surveyed the scene around him, his head was spinning with memories.I remember when I was a kid, watching games in this ballpark and seeing how crazy it was, Allen said in a raucous Indians clubhouse late Monday. For me to stand here and say I didnt hear the crowd, that would be a lie. I heard them. I could feel it, and Im sure their players could feel it.Its a really cool feeling to be part of a game like this, at Fenway Park, where theres so much history, playing against guys like Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz and that team over there. Its a really cool thing to be a part of.Once Travis Shaws pop fly settled into the glove of Cleveland right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall to seal a 4-3 Indians victory, Allen and his teammates experienced the ultimate in cool. They heard 39,530 Fenway fans go quiet before striking up a Thank you, Papi! cheer in recognition of Ortizs final game.In the midst of all that mourning, the Indians held an impromptu mosh pit at second base to celebrate a three-game series sweep. Boston is done, and Cleveland will move on and try to create some new memories against the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series.The Indians entered the division series as consensus underdogs for a reason. September injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar put a major crimp in the pitching rotation, and Bostons lineup looked too deep and formidable to be stopped. Even though the Red Sox dropped five of six games to end the regular season, they led the majors with 878 runs and an .810 team OPS. Plus, they had the added incentive of trying to write a poignant final script for Ortiz.But everything unraveled against the Indians, who took the three games in the series by scores of 5-4, 6-0 and 4-3. The Red Sox struck out 31 times in 98 at-bats and posted a .214/.278/.378 slash line. Bostons three homers in the series came from the unlikely trio of Andrew Benintendi, Brock Holt and Sandy Leon. Ortiz, Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts hit a combined .200 (11-for-55) against Clevelands pitching.The Indians game plan from the outset was to seize the initiative. Boston has a lot of hitters who like to work deep counts, and the Tribe pitchers focused on throwing strike one to better dictate the action.Josh Tomlin, Mondays starter, averages a tick under 88 mph with his fastball and allowed a whopping 35 homers in 174 regular-season innings. But he throws four pitches and never competes like a guy whos velocity-impaired. They dont call him the Little Cowboy for nothing.If somebody doesnt believe in our pitchers, theyre gonna prove them wrong, Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway?said. Thats definitely the case with Tomlin. Hes had to prove himself from A ball on. Hes always been the underdog. He performs best that way.Tomlin twirled one-hit, shutout ball for four innings and seemed oblivious to the notion that he should be feeling any kind of pressure. In the fifth inning, after Benintendi doubled home a run to make it 2-1, the Fenway fans struck up a Tom-lin! Tom-lin! chant reminiscent of the mocking cheer that Pittsburgh fans used to rattle Johnny Cueto during the 2013 playoffs. It was utterly wasted on the Little Cowboy, who struck out Leon and retired Jackie Bradley Jr. on a groundout to avoid further damage.I was surprised there were that many people that knew my name, to be honest, Tomlin said.As the game progressed, everything fell into Cleveland manager Terry Franconas wheelhouse. Andrew Miller, providing a monster presence out of the bullpen, came on in the sixth inning and threw 35 pitches to record six outs. Bryan Shaw and Allen flirted with danger in the eighth and ninth, but Boston simply couldnt mount enough offense to get over the top.True to form, Clevelands hitters divvied up the goodies all series. Catcher Roberto Perez, a .183 hitter during the regular season, hit a big home run in Game 1. Chisenhall, who barely plays against left-handers, launched a telling three-run shot off David Price in Game 2. In the series finale, Tyler Naquin delivered an early two-run single, and 36-year-old Coco Crisp made a personal statement. With the Indians clinging to a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, Crisp launched a Drew Pomeranz knuckle-curve over the Green Monster for a two-run shot that allowed everybody in the Cleveland dugout to exhale.It was the second home run in 119 career postseason plate appearances for Crisp, who began his major league career with Cleveland in 2002. He moved on to play for Boston, Kansas City and Oakland before the Indians reacquired him from the Athletics in late August.I hit it, and I was like, OK, I got it. Its a homer, Crisp said. And then I was like, Wait a second. I hit it, and thats the Monster out there, and that wasnt really a pull homer. I started running and had my head down, and I looked up and saw the second base umpire twirling his fingers. Thats when I got pumped up.The sheer joy and self-effacing nature of Crisps quote is typical of the Indians, a likable batch of grinders who take their non-star status as a point of pride. Along with an underrated lineup, a solid defense and an effective bullpen, they have the advantage of being a unified group. Just about every media interview with an Indian includes some mention of how each player on the roster has bought into the team dynamic.Everybody in here loves each other, Tomlin said. We love being around each other. Ive never seen a group of individuals who get to the ballpark as early as we get to the ballpark. We play cards with each other and hang out with each other at night. There are a bunch of things that go into it. Its not just what we do on the field. Its what we do off the field as well.Now that theyve dispatched with Boston, the Indians have the luxury of enjoying each others company for another series -- and possibly a World Series after that. Theyre enjoying the ride so much that they cant abide the thought of it coming to an end. Cheap Shoes Online Free Delivery .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. Discount Shoes Website . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.shoesonfire.ru/ . PAUL, Minn. Authentic Shoes For Cheap .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cheap Sneakers From China . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed.Wayne Rooney feels England have a squad capable of matching any side for the first time in his career having won 10 out of 10 in the European Qualifiers. England head to France for Euro 2016 in confident mood after their 100 per cent success in qualifying Group E, and are up against Russia, Slovakia and Wales in the group stage in June.Captain Rooney scored seven goals in the qualifying campaign, including a record-breaking 50th to take him above Sir Bobby Charlton in Englands all-time goalscorer list. Rooney has 51 goals for England at the age of 30 In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports Nick Collins, Rooney says that while Englands versatility and quality is clear to see, consistency will be key to any success.I feel weve got a very good squad. Its probably the first time Ive felt the squad is capable in any given game of matching any team, he said.But obviously its one thing having that, and another being able to do that consistently throughout a tournament. Roy Hodgson has announced his England squad ahead of Euro 2016 Weve got players who can play anywhere across that front line. Myself, Jamie Vardy, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge can play out wide too. Its always difficult for opponents as well.You never know with the players weve got how well they can do. Weve had a good European Qualifiers campaign, but we need to make sure that we dont slack, that we keep going and keep pushing forward, and give ourselves every possible chance. Rooney has played much of the season with Manchester United in midfield The Manchester United skippers best position for England is highly-debated, and while Rooney wants to play as striker he is open to playing in different positions for his country. Rooney on... England skipper speaks exclusively to Sky Sports about Englands chances at Euro 2016 Rooney has been used both as a striker and as a central midfielder by United manager Louis van Gaal this season but it is understood Hodgson will use him on the left wing in a 4-3-3 system following conversations between the two. QUIZ: England squads Test your knowledge of previous squad announcements Another option would be to use the 30-year-old at the top of a midfield diamond or as a No 10, where he has also been used by United this season, and Rooney feels he is suitable for a number of positions.As a player you are always adapting, said Rooney, who was speaking as part of a Home Nations and Republic of Ireland special, where captains Ashley Williams, Steven Davis and Robbie Keane will speak with Sky Sports.You adapt to your team-mates, you adapt to the different coaches you are working under. It depends what the coaches want from you. The England captain is keen to be a leader for the younger players Throughout my career Ive adapted to different situations and different teams Ive played in, and I have no problem doing it. In football you need players who can play in different positions. Ive always felt like I can play in different positions.But Ive always believed I am capable of playing in different positions. I think you saw in World Cup 2006 with Owen Hargreaves, he was probably Englands best player, purely for the fact he could play in different positions.To have players like that in your squad is really important. The good thing that Roy has now is that he can look at the opponents and pick a midfield which is best for beating the opponent. We havent always had that. Roy Hodgson thinks Rooney is key for England but admits he doesnt have to pick him in the starting XI He could change the whole 11 if he had to now, and we would still have the chance of winning the game.ddddddddddddooney was made captain after the World Cup in 2014 following Steven Gerrards international retirement, something he says he takes immense pride in.With several young players coming through, including Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Marcus Rashford and John Stones, Rooney is keen to take on a leadership role, but not without the help of a small group of other senior team members. Former England defender Jamie Carragher thinks Rooney may have to play in midfield to make room for Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy Rooney said: I felt I was the natural successor to Steven as captain, and the manager did too. Its something I was delighted to do, and I want to do it to be successful as well.Its something I really take pride in and want to do to the best of my ability. I think the young lads in the squad, theyve helped a lot, I feel its an exciting time for English football with the squad we have.The manager involves me in a lot of decisions. Obviously theres myself, and then weve put a team together with a few of the other senior players. Paul Scholes evaluates Englands chances at Euro 2016 If decisions on behalf of the team need making, I will go to those players, talk through it and decide what is best for the team.But of course, you have to be a role model and ambassador for the country, and thats what Ive tried to do to the best of my ability.For more from Wayne Rooney, including his thoughts on the European Qualifers campaign, the extended interview will be shown throughout the day on Tuesday on Sky Sports News HQ Also See: Rashford, Wilshere called up Rooney wants midfield role QUIZ: England Euros squads Euro 2016 news ' ' '