Yeah he might be tall, but nothing like the presence that Vidic brings or even Terry or King or Kompany when it comes to crosses into the box. These guys just command that area whereas Rio's never really been that type of player. I might be wrong but has he scored many goals with his head? He was always faster than those so he could always make a yard up in no time which I think was his real strength.
Rio Ferdinand
- Thread starter Logan!
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Yeah he might be tall, but nothing like the presence that Vidic brings or even Terry or King or Kompany when it comes to crosses into the box. These guys just command that area whereas Rio's never really been that type of player. I might be wrong but has he scored many goals with his head? He was always faster than those so he could always make a yard up in no time which I think was his real strength.
Being a defensive header of the ball is different than being an attacker. Rio is excellent at just getting enough on the ball to get it into a safe area; he seldom loses an aerial duel. However, I do think he has lost some jumping force though.
Wasn't King just as fast as Rio when both were in their prime? Terry is just ridiculously slow and should have had oh so many yellow and red cards for obstructing the last man in a sprint duel.
Yes King had both speed and great positioning. I don't know but I'll watch Rio's arial play. Terry and his star jump defending, but you can't fault him for how many balls he clears from his area in a single game.
For the record, I think Evans has a shot at overtaking Rio this year, and being Vidic's main partner.
Not saying I think it's the most likely outcome, but if he improves as much this season as last I think he can do it.
Not saying I think it's the most likely outcome, but if he improves as much this season as last I think he can do it.
Nono, Terry is good at what he does, no doubt. He is more of a warrior than Rio, and thus in a tight game where your knuckles are sore, Terry is probably the man you want, but Vidic will always be better. Overall, Rio was and still is the best defender of the two, but Terry is no doubt good at clearing the ball.
When Rio was in his prime, all you would see on TV was the other team punting the ball long and by the time the shot panned over Rio was standing still in the exact perfect spot to head it back. When first watching United years ago I wondered what the point of that was supposed to be. Then I realized Rio was the best center back in the world at the time.
I thought at times Ferdinand really did get exposed against Spurs. The bale goal is one thing that he can't really be blamed through, there's barely anyone in the world who's going to do well against someone like Bale who has a free run at them. But there were times where he had to go wide that he got turned way to easily.
I think though he's suffering from Fergie not choosing to acknowledge his drop in pace and give him protection. He doesn't have that recovery pace anymore. He's not slow but he's definitely not as quick anymore either. Playing two midfielders ahead with only one in Carrick offering any real protection and then also playing in such a way that there's so much space between players piles on the pressure to the defenders. In comparison to other defenders he plays in a more demanding team because we not only give less protection than others but we also play in such a way that we leave more space as well.
I think though he's suffering from Fergie not choosing to acknowledge his drop in pace and give him protection. He doesn't have that recovery pace anymore. He's not slow but he's definitely not as quick anymore either. Playing two midfielders ahead with only one in Carrick offering any real protection and then also playing in such a way that there's so much space between players piles on the pressure to the defenders. In comparison to other defenders he plays in a more demanding team because we not only give less protection than others but we also play in such a way that we leave more space as well.
Agreed he is probably up there as one of our best ever, but like a few others said about Giggs, i just hope he doesn't start becoming a liability. We know how faithful SAF is to his older players. I still think he has a few years in him but I hope he has the sense to do a Gary Neville when it becomes too much for him.
Agreed. I think the only person I saw get the better of Rio in the air at his best was Kenwyn Jones, funnily enough.
Hansen thinks Rio is the best Pl defender ever.
Probably right!
Probably right!
I think Stam was better.
Stam was here for too short a time to be compared to Rio, imo. Stam probably had as much top speed, but lacked acceleration, but all in all he pretty much was a Vidic with pace, and that is quite a combo!
To me though, Rio is the best defender I've seen, at his prime. Great pace, fantastic positioning and reading of the game, excellent technique and passing and he also had that presence.
We used to be able to position our defense high on the pitch because of Rio's pace; we can't do that anymore when he and Vidic are playing, and subsequently our midfield suffers. We do, however, have a lot of that pace in Smalling who is also very, very fast. In time, he can become what Rio was, and if only he becomes 80% of Rio, he will still be great.
Rio in his prime was immense! Great recovery speed and awareness which saved him from the occasional poor positional moments.
Of course he's lost a step in the past few years but I can't blame him entirely for how it's gone for us this season. You've got Evra who's regressed sharply and a midfield that's 100 years old and can't defend at all. It's hard to play centreback when you have opposition midfielders running at full pelt towards you through a massive gapping hole that's supposed to be your centre midfield.
Of course he's lost a step in the past few years but I can't blame him entirely for how it's gone for us this season. You've got Evra who's regressed sharply and a midfield that's 100 years old and can't defend at all. It's hard to play centreback when you have opposition midfielders running at full pelt towards you through a massive gapping hole that's supposed to be your centre midfield.
Rio is the best CB I have seen play.
For me, he can continue to be our first choice CB.
Our biggest issue is that we can't seem to play the same 2 CBs together for more than 2 matches in a row!
As people have said above, Rio is relying on his reading of the game, now that he has lost a yard of pace. No issue with this at all.
The problem is when you are relying on your reading of the game, and then factoring in not really knowing what your other CB is going to be doing.
OK that's an exaggeration, but if you have 2 CBs healthy for the entire year, then the partnership they form is invaluable.
For me, he can continue to be our first choice CB.
Our biggest issue is that we can't seem to play the same 2 CBs together for more than 2 matches in a row!
As people have said above, Rio is relying on his reading of the game, now that he has lost a yard of pace. No issue with this at all.
The problem is when you are relying on your reading of the game, and then factoring in not really knowing what your other CB is going to be doing.
OK that's an exaggeration, but if you have 2 CBs healthy for the entire year, then the partnership they form is invaluable.
Looks like Hodgson feels his days are coming to a end,which is good news
http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-united/8137123/Ferdinand-set-to-miss-out
http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-united/8137123/Ferdinand-set-to-miss-out
The way it's come out is obviously poor but I'm sure Rio won't be surprised.
He's barely played for England over the last 3 years, he's hardly in the best physical condition and seeing as the next tournament is about 20 months away I can't see that he'd be a realistic option.
He's barely played for England over the last 3 years, he's hardly in the best physical condition and seeing as the next tournament is about 20 months away I can't see that he'd be a realistic option.
I think its fairly safe to say he's achieved all he'll ever achieve in an England shirt. Nothing.
Much better for us that he doesn't play for England.
Then again, what did keane, Irwin or Giggs or Ronaldo or Best, Stam, etc etc achieve? Not exclusive to England.
Perhaps they should all shun international football. Suits me but they want the medals, trophies and whatever we think of international football, they see it as the ultimate feather in the cap.
He's had a solid international career and I'm sure that despite media speculation he wouldn't have been expecting a call up. After the way he was snubbed for Terry in the Euros he may not have even fancied it, we don't know.
All in all I think it's better for both parties to move on now. England can focus on the younger players coming in and Rio can hopefully extend his club career by having a decent break during the summer and less international travelling which has affected his back in the past.
All in all I think it's better for both parties to move on now. England can focus on the younger players coming in and Rio can hopefully extend his club career by having a decent break during the summer and less international travelling which has affected his back in the past.
The national side should be ashamed at the way Rio has been treated (I'm thinking of the captaincy issue particularly), but he's had maybe the most success career of an English defender since '66 - the loss is England's.
Ferdinand's one of the few players that hasn't consistently played like an absolute spastic whilst in an England shirt in recent years.
fecking class today.
Superb. Nice 2 week break for him now.
1 v 1 he is extremely difficult to get past without pace and just skills
As was Evans, much more solid today.
Beast!
Good game today
Rolls Royce Rio.
Flawless performance today. Pure class.
We should be very thankful that he's still around. We're gonna miss that effortless quality when he's gone.
When he is on form he just gives so much confidence to the rest. He is still our best defender I don't care what anyone says.
Sheer class.
Sheer class.
I love watching him play, classy all around!
R.r.r
Not good enough for England apparently, footballing reasons you see 
Almost as good as Ryan Shawcross today.
Who caresNot good enough for England apparently, footballing reasons you see
I'd prefer Rio to be left out of the england team and just focus on being fit for United. Having a nice rest during the international breaks instead of playing extra games will only help him stay fit and benefit us.was great today...for an old guy. didn't get hurt.
I agree. His positioning is brilliant, he didn't put a foot wrong today. In 1v1s, he's always so confident, never goes in too early. He's a delight to watch, not as spectacular as other defenders but up there in the top 5 I believe.
That he's not in the England team just shows how much of a clusterfeck the FA and the selection process is and is no reflection on him, for sure. But to be honest, I'm very glad he's out of that, two good weeks of rest before a trying few weeks.
Just hope his serious injury troubles are behind him.
He is so calm when defending, he rarely does the "last-ditch tackle to save a certain goal", that's because he doesn't have to most of the time.