Originally Posted by
samhaydenjr
On the flip side of that view, Eoin Doyle only scored 11 times in 49 league games in the SPL and then 11 times in one season in League Two before he embarked on his current streak. So it appears both players have hit their groove at the same time and right now I would say they're both about even in the pecking order. Now, based on our current forward options, you're probably right, Rooney and Doyle would still fall short. But when the next qualifying campaign begins, Robbie Keane will surely have retired, while Jonathan Walters, Kevin Doyle and Daryl Murphy will all be 33 and it's entirely possible all three might call it a day. In that scenario, Shane Long would likely become our main striker, with David McGoldrick probably his partner, if we use two up front. If Anthony Stokes can get himself settled, he may have the edge for the next place, but if not that leaves two or possibly three spots up for grabs between Stokes, Rooney, E Doyle, Cox and Sammon. So, given that, there is an argument that Adam Rooney is deserving of a runout in a friendly or two over the next year or so.
Of course there may be developments in the next 12 months that might change all this and squeeze out the potential claims of Rooney, Eoin Doyle etc; Reece Grego-Cox might become a breakout star for QPR; Patrick Bamford may respond to the cajoling of his mother's family (and the meteoric rise of Harry Kane) and switch allegiance to us (as Will Keane also could); Michael Drennan's blistering start for Shamrock Rovers might extend for the season and lead to a successful return to the Championship or Premier League next season. But should these things not happen, then Adam Rooney certainly has a strong claim for a squad place, at least, for the World Cup 2018 campaign, particularly if his goalscoring record continues through next season.
