Rio Ferdinand

Ridiculous to put Terry in there ahead of him. The only reason can be because he's captain, and Hodgson doesn't have the guts to actually drop him because he's not good enough.

Their loss though. I'd rather see Rio get a full summer of rest and not have to go to a Euros campaign with England that will inevitably turn into a debacle where all of the senior players are blamed.

Ferdinand should be in there ahead of Terry though. I'm not going to claim that Rio is the same defender he was a few years ago when he was one of the best in the world, but he's actually had a good season, especially in the second half of it, and is a much better defender than the vastly overrated Terry.
 
Had Rio decided to retire himself prior to the Euros I would have been happy..

However if this is true, and Terry does go, then it's a fecking disgrace

*Insert Droga gif*
 
Rio was holding his back at the end of the QPR game and I doubt he can play every England game so on that basis I could see why he might not get picked. That said Terry has been rubbish so he shouldn't go no matter what.
 
Stupid decision not to bring a defender of his calibre if true. He'll be gutted no doubt & would probably be as well off retiring from International football now. On the plus side a good rest for him during the summer will do him & us the world of good heading into next season.
 
Big blow for Rio.Not the way he would have liked to have bowed out of the International scene.
 
O RLY?

Who would you rate above him?

Lescott and Cahill have both been solid this season, not to say they're better than Rio, but I remember watching the 1-0 at City and thinking Rio's past it. He was second to every ball played over the top.
 
Disappointing. England needs the best and he is one of the best english defenders.
 
Ridiculous to put Terry in there ahead of him. The only reason can be because he's captain, and Hodgson doesn't have the guts to actually drop him because he's not good enough.

Their loss though. I'd rather see Rio get a full summer of rest and not have to go to a Euros campaign with England that will inevitably turn into a debacle where all of the senior players are blamed.

Ferdinand should be in there ahead of Terry though. I'm not going to claim that Rio is the same defender he was a few years ago when he was one of the best in the world, but he's actually had a good season, especially in the second half of it, and is a much better defender than the vastly overrated Terry.

Why can it be the only reason?

Maybe Hodgson has spoke to the club medical staff and Rio himself and there are concerns over his fitness. All will become clear tomorrow.
 
Terry ahead of Ferdinand. feck off. Just feck off.


United will benefit but feck me that is disgusting. Let's think about why he is out... because he fell out with Terry because Terry racially abused his brother.

So Terry gets his way again. I'm starting to see why he is such a cnut and starting to not blame him, the guy gets literally no punishment for anything he does, ever. When he does get punished it is always revoked. I'd bet any money that he is found guilty in the summer and given a sentence which is then changed to a suspended sentence on appeal.
 
Lescott and Cahill have both been solid this season, not to say they're better than Rio, but I remember watching the 1-0 at City and thinking Rio's past it. He was second to every ball played over the top.

So much wrongs in this post.

To be fair to Roy, I think Fergie's comment about Rio's inability to handle one match in four days played a big part in his decision to axe him.
 
Rio's performances this season that coupled with the obvious physical problems he has probably made him a risk for Hodgson to take. If it was on the basis of non-footballing issues then I agree that it's pure folly to leave him out.
 
I really don't understand why this is news to some people? Of all people fans of this club (and posters on this forum) should know just how much the medical staff and Fergie have had to nurse and manage Rio through the season.

Why on Earth did you think he'd go to a tournament where he'd have to play a load of high intensity matches in such a short space of time?

It's a shame for Rio that he'll probably never play for England again but as far as his fitness and health is concerned it's for the best.
 
Rio's performances this season that coupled with the obvious physical problems he has probably made him a risk for Hodgson to take. If it was on the basis of non-footballing issues then I agree that it's pure folly to leave him out.

He's had the odd dodgy game but he's still a really good defender. He's played more game then Terry this year I think.
 
Why can it be the only reason?

Maybe Hodgson has spoke to the club medical staff and Rio himself and there are concerns over his fitness. All will become clear tomorrow.

Fergie said a few days ago that Rio's back wouldn't be able to cope with the tight schedule so it isn't all that surprising he isn't going.
 
Why can it be the only reason?

Maybe Hodgson has spoke to the club medical staff and Rio himself and there are concerns over his fitness. All will become clear tomorrow.

Possibly, but even at that, when Rio's not there Terry shouldn't be starting for England. Lescott has had a very good season and should arguably be the first centre back on the teamsheet. I'd have Cahill over him as well.
 
Rio's performances this season that coupled with the obvious physical problems he has probably made him a risk for Hodgson to take. If it was on the basis of non-footballing issues then I agree that it's pure folly to leave him out.

His performances this season have been excellent and his physical issues have been better than they have been for years. The real stupidity would be if he's been dropped for footballing reasons IMO.
 
Its probably the right decision. If its come down to picking 1 of Rio or Terry you can probably depend more on Terry to be able to play a number of games in quick succession, which you need to be able to do in tournament football. Also Terrys built up a pretty decent understanding with Gary Cahill which i imagine will be first choice, with decent backups in Lescott and Jagielka.
 
Disappointing for Rio but from a Utd perspective this is good news, let Rio rest ahead of the new season.
 
His performances this season have been excellent and his physical issues have been better than they have been for years. The real stupidity would be if he's been dropped for footballing reasons IMO.

Excellent is overstating it, IMO. But I agree with the last sentence.
 
He's had the odd dodgy game but he's still a really good defender. He's played more game then Terry this year I think.

Yeah, I just read my post back and it looks like I'm saying he's been poor, which I wasn't. I meant that he hasn't been so good that he's a 'must bring' regardless of other issues. Which he has been in the past.
 
His has a wealth of experience & surely that would have been enough of a reason to have at least brought him. He wouldn't have had to play every game for them.

Yeah, but I don't really buy into bringing a player for his experience, it's not as if this English team lack experience. Your squad is limited enough with twenty-three men some managers would feel. This decision makes sense.

I think a lot of people have their red tinted shades on here folks...
 
Yeah, I just read my post back and it looks like I'm saying he's been poor, which I wasn't. I meant that he hasn't been so good that he's a 'must bring' regardless of other issues. Which he has been in the past.

I suppose, I'd rather have Rio here resting anyway.
 
His has a wealth of experience & surely that would have been enough of a reason to have at least brought him. He wouldn't have had to play every game for them.

You dont bring a player just cos he's got a wealth of experience. England have shitloads of experience throughout the squad so theres no way that'll be a problem. You say he wouldnt have to play every game, but you want to bring players that are fit to play every game, as you'll undoubtedly get injuries during a tournament. Centre halfs not a position you wanna be rotating through a tournament. England should be able to depend on Terry-Cahill for the duration of their stay with a couple of able deputys used if required.
 
Possibly, but even at that, when Rio's not there Terry shouldn't be starting for England. Lescott has had a very good season and should arguably be the first centre back on the teamsheet. I'd have Cahill over him as well.

Must be a decision based on experience, even if he is a cock.
 
Yeah, but I don't really buy into bringing a player for his experience, it's not as if this English team lack experience. Your squad is limited enough with twenty-three men some managers would feel. This decision makes sense.

I think a lot of people have their red tinted shades on here folks...

He's the best English central defender currently playing the game. You still haven't named a better one. So I don't see where red tinted specs come into it.

If he's not physically capable, that's a different matter.