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[h=1]Exclusive: Wayne Rooney's dad arrested in football betting scam[/h] By Paul Byrne 6/10/2011
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Thomas Wayne Rooney (Pic: AFP)


Wayne Rooney's father was arrested today in connection with an alleged football betting scam.
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The Manchester United star's uncle Richie, 54, was also detained.
The two men were among nine who were detained by police in Merseyside and Glasgow.
Wayne's dad and uncle were released on bail this afternoon pending further enquiries.
Two others were also released on bail. Five men were still being questioned by detectives.
It is understood Wayne Rooney senior, 48, was arrested at his home in the West Derby area of Liverpool.
The development comes after a nine month investigation into the sending off of Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings, 26.
The former Tranmere Rovers player was also arrested in connection with the betting probe today. The Kirkby-born footballer was arrested by Merseyside police on behalf of the Gambling Commission at his home in Glasgow.
He was one of nine people arrested, the other eight being detained at addresses on Merseyside.
After being booked for a foul early on in the game Jennings was shown a straight red card for putting his hand on referee Stevie O'Reilly and arguing when a penalty appeal was turned down in the 83rd minute of the SPL clash.

Motherwell's Steve Jennings being sent off by referee Stevie O'Reilly
Jennings is alleged to have asked O'Reilly when he was going to stop "cheating" Motherwell. But questions were raised by bookies when it emerged that several bets were made on a player being sent off including a £500 gamble placed through a new account opened in Liverpool at 10/1 odds.
Two members of the Association of British Bookmakers, including online betting company Blue Square, reported concerns the day after the match.In a statement SFA chief executive Stewart Regan attributed the information to the Gambling Commission and said the arrest follows "extensive inquiries" into alleged betting irregularities at a Scottish Premier League match.

Wayne Rooney and his dad Thomas Wayne Rooney on holiday in Cancun

Wayne Rooney's father, mother and brother watch him play against Portugal during Euro 2004
Mr Regan added: "While the investigation involves several other individuals outside Scotland, it is important to stress that the evidence gathered throughout this thorough period of investigation has involved only one Scottish match."Motherwell FC are aware of the situation and will issue a response in due course.
"The Scottish FA will make no further comment at this stage."
Merseyside Police said: "Detectives have today executed warrants at 10 addresses across Merseyside and Glasgow and arrested nine men as part of an investigation into suspicious betting activity.
"The arrests are the culmination of a joint operation with the Gambling Commission and the nine who have been arrested for conspiracy to defraud are being interviewed by detectives.
"Those arrested are a 29-year-old from Bootle, a 48-year-old from West Derby, a 54-year-old from Norris Green, a 26-year-old from Croxteth, a 22-year-old from Kirkdale, a 31-year-old from Litherland, a 68-year-old from Fazakerley, a 36-year-old from Kirkby and a 26-year-old from Glasgow.
"The investigation relates to a match between Motherwell and Hearts on December 14 2010."
Why Wayne Rooney will almost certainly play against Montenegro tomorrow
football betting , football betting scandal , glasgow police news , merseyside police news , richie rooney , scottish football match fixing , scottish premier league news , steve jennings , steve jennings motherwell fc , wayne rooney snr , wayne rooney's dad , wayne thomas rooney

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[h=2]Montenegro v England, Euro 2012 Group G qualifier, 8pm[/h] [h=1]Fabio Capello faces dilemma over idealism or immediacy with England[/h] If the manager is bold and picks Phil Jones, he will be true to his instinct to fashion a new team

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• • Kevin McCarra in Podgorica
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 6 October 2011 22.14 BST Article history
  
  Fabio Capello addresses the England players during training in Podgorica on the eve of their match against Montenegro. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
  
  Fabio Capello is not just seeking one more victory in the Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro. At the age of 65, with retirement in sight, the aim can only be to emphasise that he still has it in him to renew a team. Here is a man in search of one last coup. There is another interpretation that pictures him as a person trying to shake off the memories of his ignominious campaign at the World Cup finals last year. Whatever the motive, Capello would like his last feat to be one of regeneration.
  In that way he could emphasise another aspect of his talent. We see him currently as team-builder and nurturer of individuals. Even so, it would border on the libellous ever to describe him as indifferent to results. Capello is, to an extent, caught between a wish to recast the team for the long-term under his successor and the desire to deal with the immediate threat of Montenegro, even if the home side do intend to send out a weakened team so that players with a booking against them already will be available for their last match in the group, away to Switzerland.
  The England manager still works on the assumption that the side will be put to a severe test. "It will be a tough game," he said. "I know the spirit of this team. We need to be really competitive." That issue leads to discussion of the feasibility of giving the teenager Phil Jones his debut at right-back. It is improbable that the manager has not settled the matter in his own mind, but that type of calculation would, if announced, reveal too much of his intentions.
  Were Jones to be preferred, there would be a note of adventure to his scheme. Should he turn instead to Phil Jagielka, normally a centre-half, as right-back he would be tending towards caution. There are suggestions that Capello and his coaches seem to be tending towards boldness and Jones from the start, most likely with Theo Walcott as the winger on that flank. It would be a brave step but it would also simplify the approach to the match.
  The intentions at least seem unambiguous. There may be a pairing of Gareth Barry and Scott Parker in front of the back four, but that could give licence to the remainder of the line-up. Wayne Rooney, for instance, might be at ease behind, say, Bobby Zamora at centre-forward. Capello is convinced that Rooney is in the right frame of mind to take part despite the arrest of the forward's father as part of an investigation into alleged betting irregularities.
  Rooney, at least, is the type to feel relieved to be on the field. "Yes, he's OK," said Capello. "No problems. Absolutely no problem. He's calm, relaxed. I think, in a really short time, we'll find a solution. I think he's in a good moment of form and there will be no problem for the game tomorrow. He's told me he's good, no problems. In the last few days he's trained really, really well."
  There is an impression at least of improved rapport with the squad. "I think the relationship within the players and me has improved," Capello said, "because I understand some things, but I think also the players understand me better. There are no problems about the relationship when we stay together, or about what I ask of them to do in training or during the game."
  He stops short of admitting that he is mellower now, but there was widespread good humour. The official for the match is Wolfgang Stark, who sent off Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge in a Champions League tie in 2010, when Chelsea were beaten. Terry's complaints and protests were ignored by the official. The England captain can be genial about it now. "He might owe me a couple," Terry said of the decisions to be made by the official.
  It is Montenegro who might be the true concern, bearing in mind that they struck the bar late in the goalless draw with England at Wembley. The side stand 26th in the world rankings and for a nation with a population of a little more than 600,000 it is an achievement to be placed between Sweden and Hungary.
  The greatest accolade, however, is the fact that few ever dare patronise them. The form may have dipped a little, but they still carry expectations that would be ludicrous if it were not for the fact that they have some convincing resources. For this match, the 21-year-old Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic, who was injured at the time of the Wembley game, can link with Mirko Vucinic, an experienced striker who moved from Roma to Juventus in the summer for about £13m.
  The left-back Milan Jovanovic called this occasion his "game of the decade", even if he will be absent should the manager stick to his plan to rest him and others. The side, whatever the composition, have the will and, to a degree, the means to make their mark. Montenegro sometimes carry expectations that compare with countries of far greater means. This is a side who will never be persuaded that their place is in some obscure corner of the football scene.
  They have, for good or ill, an impatience with defeat more often associated with countries of greater resources. Branko Brnovic, formerly a coach, was promoted to manager last month, after the defeat by Wales that cost Zlatko Kranjcar his job. England are confronted by opponents who will be unlikely to shrink from the mere sight of Capello's players. With that in mind, the Italian has to decide just how idealistic he can afford to be.
  
  

 

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[h=1]Arsenal say they would cope without Champions League football[/h] • 'We have got a stable model,' says chief executive
• Club dismisses fans' concerns that more cash is needed

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• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 6 October 2011 20.32 BST Article history
  
  
  Arsenal have enjoyed Champions League football for a decade but their poor league start has made qualification for next season's tournament an uphill task. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
  
  Arsenal's chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, has insisted the club would cope financially even if they missed out on Champions League qualification.
  Following Arsenal's worst start to a season in 58 years, leaving them 15th in the Premier League table, Gazidis said the club would be able to weather a year without Champions League qualification if it ever happened.
  "We would rather qualify for it but we have got a really stable model that could not just cope but do well and compete," Gazidis said after appearing on a panel at the Leaders in Football conference.
  "It would be very foolish to build a business model that relied on being in the Champions League for perpetuity. I don't think any clubs do that, and if they do then they probably aren't being run as responsibly as they should be."
  Champions League qualification has become disproportionately important in terms of driving revenue for the biggest clubs, and is likely to become even more so under Uefa's financial fair play regime.
  The manager, Arsène Wenger, has often pointed to the club's consistency in qualifying for the competition over the past decade as evidence of their continued ability to compete at the top level while also being run in a financially sustainable fashion.
  Gazidis also dismissed concerns expressed by some Arsenal fans that the club need a short‑term injection of funds in order to maintain their place among the European elite before Uefa's new financial fair play rules take effect.
  There are fears the club could be left behind because they are unable to substantially grow their commercial revenues until 2014 when existing deals with Nike and Emirates are up for renewal.
  However, Gazidis said that Arsenal's much admired self-sustaining model, recently backed by the American majority owner, Stan Kroenke, remained the way forward despite recent challenges on the pitch.
  "I do think it's the right model for us. It gives us stability without having to worry too much about the ups and downs of the competitive cycle or the economic cycle," he said.
  "Every club has the temptation to think that money is the answer to issues and that if only they'd spent a little bit more it would push them over the top of the curve. That's what drives this cycle of spending that you see in the game.
  "That's not by any means always successful, but it's tempting to think it is. It relieves pressure for a while but it actually builds long-term pressure in other ways. We continue to act with discipline to make sure we've got a good short- and long-term future."
  Gazidis admitted that pressure on clubs to increase revenues by putting up ticket prices was a "concern" under Uefa's proposed FFP system but said he was "optimistic" about the new landscape and believed it would ultimately be good for fans.
  "I do believe the effective implementation of some sort of financial fair play system will be good for fans. The country with a model closest to financial fair play is probably Germany and the fan relationships there are good," he said.
  
  

 

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[h=2]Montenegro v England, Euro 2012 Group G qualifier, Friday 7 October 8pm[/h] [h=1]England can show forward thinking by turning to Phil Jones[/h] The Manchester United defender has forced his way into Fabio Capello's plans with his positive defensive performances

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• • Paul Hayward in Podgorica
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 6 October 2011 17.01 BST Article history
  
  Phil Jones, centre, enjoys England training with his Manchester United team-mates Danny Wellbeck and Ashley Young. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
  
  Manchester United identified Phil Jones as a transfer target long before they were crushed by Barcelona in last season's Champions League final. But the majesty of Barça's play from the rear of the pitch made it seem an especially smart move to hand Blackburn Rovers £17m for a young defender who might match the mobility and elegance of Gerard Piqué.
  Europe's champions start forward plays not from the front but the back, where Piqué, who had spent four years on United's books, and the goalkeeper are assigned to always use the ball constructively in a sequence that invites Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and now Cesc Fábregas to do the rest. United are among the great powers seeking answers to Barcelona's dominance. Agile and audacious in his forward moves, Jones offers United an alternative in Europe to two centre‑backs who confine themselves to marking men or space.
  Jones is on the continent this week, but not in one of the great Champions League citadels. He is in the England camp where Rio Ferdinand has already lost his place and John Terry is in his autumn years.
  For Fabio Capello the clock stops when England's involvement in Euro 2012 ceases. Though he makes the right noises about youth – and his own role in its development – Capello remains active in the self-preservation society. Repairing the damage to his reputation from the World Cup is a more pressing task than sprinkling the rose of English youth.
  So the choice of England's defensive line against Montenegro is no straightforwardly meritocratic debate. Kevin Keegan would have thrown Jones into England's last Euro 2012 qualifier. In training Glenn Hoddle would have shown him how to pass the ball 40 yards and found some clever role for "the boy Jones". Sven‑Goran Eriksson would have asked David Beckham whether he thought Manchester United's new star was ready and acted on the answer. Capello, the pragmatist, will simply have weighed up the risks, to the campaign and to himself.
  They said Eriksson was a "lucky coach" but fortune has dropped a windfall on Capello's last months in charge. Jones and Chris Smalling have transformed England's defensive potential, at centre-half and right‑back, where both can play. The coach's alternatives, in Podgorica, are to play safe with the gritty Premier League nous of Phil Jagielka or the mid-range experience of Gary Cahill, the defensive leader in a collapsing Bolton Wanderers side.
  Of course the Jones-Piqué analogy is imperfect. Piqué passes the ball from the back whereas Jones, 19, tends to carry it downfield. The point is that both are starters and not merely stoppers. Montenegro is no place for centre-backs to be galloping into hostile territory. But it's a good a place as any to issue a declaration about England's future and offer Jones his debut in the last competitive fixture before Euro 2012.
  A victim, sometimes, of his own exuberance, Jones was advised by Martin Keown on the radio this week to always take care of his defensive responsibilities before trying to wreak havoc on the opposition. Keown supports the widespread view that the prodigy needs to stay "close to his partner" against good opposition. With Nemanja Vidic injured, and Ferdinand out of sorts, Jones is missing a colleague to administer that lesson during United's games. But Terry would not be slow to recite it in Podgorica.
  In an interview in these pages Micah Richards revealed that Jones was "disappointed" not to feature in the Bulgaria and Wales games. "But he's only 19 and he's got another 10 years ahead of him with England," Richards said, conservatively. He also called his Manchester rival "a future England captain".
  Teenage terrors are rare in this country's colours. Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Richards himself (debut at 18) required exceptional precocity to break the door down. Jones brings another question: where should he play, given his versatility? If centre-back is the answer, England might as well proceed with the task of teaching him when to stick or twist in international football. The alternative is to arrive in Poland and Ukraine with the country's best young defender since Ferdinand still a virgin in competitive fixtures.
  The "incredible talent" Capello says he sees enters the picture at the perfect moment to test his manager's boldness/conservatism ratio. His admirers will point out that neither Cahill nor Jagielka is a proven tournament-class defender. So why play safe with a replacement for Ferdinand who may fill only a back-up role next summer? Why not make the leap now and display Jones's talent to the nations England will face in a competition where the semi-finals are their furthest point of advance?
  Below the surface of steady integration many of these England players are biding time until Capello passes through the system and a new, younger side forms, post-2012. Jones needs coaching, guiding, educating in the brutal realities of international action. Montenegro looks a good place to start.
  
  

 

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[h=1]Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Italian giants Juventus want to sign Manchester City's suspended striker Carlos Tevez on loan.
Full story: talkSPORT
Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie has put Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United on red alert, after hinting that he wants to remain in the Premier League if he does end up leaving the Gunners.
Full story: Metro
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is believed to be wanted by Russian club Terek Grozny.
Full story: talkSPORT
Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart could be set for a surprise Spurs exit, after manager Harry Redknapp admitted he cannot guarantee him a place in the first team.
Full story: Metro
Aston Villa defender James Collins wants to extend his current contract at Villa Park.
Full story: the Sun
QPR manager Neil Warnock looks set to take another look at Hampton & Richmond Borough defender Dean Inman after his previous trial at the club was cut short in the summer.
Full story: talkSPORT
Arsenal and Manchester United target Mario Gotze's agent has declared his client is very unlikely to leave Borussia Dortmund before the end of his contract in 2014.
Full story: Inside Futbol
Arsenal are rumoured to have revived their interest in Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia.
Full story: Footie-online
German champions Borussia Dortmund could offer Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko a way out of White Hart Lane in the January transfer window.
Full story: Footylatest.com
Liverpool are being linked with a move to sign Dutch FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong.
Full story: Caught Offside

OTHER GOSSIP
Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastien Veron could retire from football before the end of the month.
Full story: talkSPORT
Former England captain David Beckham has hinted he may snub the chance to return to the Premier League with either Tottenham or QPR, and remain in America for family reasons.
Full story: Metro
Midfielder Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal paid £10m to Everton on transfer deadline day without putting him through a medical.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester City midfielder James Milner is fearing for his international future with Fabio Capello's current rotation policy.
Full story: the Sun
Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro says current England manager Fabio Capello is the best coach in the world.
Full story: talkSPORT
Everton winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is set to stay and fight for his place at Goodison Park despite being linked with a move home to Russia.
Full story: Daily Mirror
QPR captain Joey Barton has insisted that the current England squad is not picked on form or he would be in it.
Full story: talkSPORT

AND FINALLY
Russia manager Dick Advocaat says he will allow his players, including Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin and Tottenham frontman Roman Pavlyuchenko, to go out drinking if they qualify for the Euro 2012 finals.
Full story: Metro
Defender Phil Neville was left feeling unhappy after team-mate Royston Drenthe broke down with laughter when the veteran attempted a step-over in training.
Full story: Metro

 

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[h=1]I could retire next year admits Carragher[/h] Published 19:19 06/10/11 By Neil McLeman

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...he-could-retire-next-year-article808860.html#

Jamie Carragher has admitted he could retire as early as next year and go into management.
The 33-year-old *Liverpool defender is set to achieve 500 Premier League *appearances for his hometown club this season after making his debut in 1996.
When asked about his future, Carragher said: "Ask Kenny [Dalglish]. He picks the team. The time will come in the next 12, 18 months, maybe two years. Not at the moment.
"I've taken my first steps to coaching and the B licence. We all love the game, you want to stay involved in the game."

One-club man Carragher added he had never been tempted to play for a foreign club.
"I don't think anyone would fancy taking me abroad!" he said.
"I'm lucky the club I play for aspires to win the biggest things. There's a duty almost. Not once can I remember a club showing any interest.
"I've never picked up a Sunday paper and seen my name linked with anyone."
Carragher made morning headlines when he claimed that England are "cheating" by employing a foreign coach as their national manager.
The defender insisted this evening that his claim should not be viewed as an attack on England boss Fabio Capello, but more of a plea for placing trust in home-grown coaches, and he even claimed that every part of the national football set-up should be English.
"It's nothing against Capello or anybody who comes in in the future," Carragher added.
"It's nothing against foreign players or coaches. I just think that's what international football should be about.
"For me, we shouldn't have a foreign members of staff. The best doctor in the country should be the England doctor [Same with] the bus driver. That's what international football is.
"If we're not up to it in certain areas, we have to improve."
Carragher also thinks the presence of foreigners is impeding the development of young English players.
The defender has hit out at the Premier League for not protecting the home-grown youngsters coming through the ranks.
"Everyone wants to play in the Premier League now. Players at our academy don't get a chance," he said.
"Our academies are not just full of local players. They are full of foreign players too. That's a bit of a problem for me.
"I think no foreign players should leave their country until 18 or maybe 21 and I think I think the academies should be for local players.
Former England and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes claimed recently that the England camp had been divided into Manchester United and Liverpool cliques during his time on the international scene.
Carragher, who was a member of the squad at the same time as the retired Red Devils player, agreed, saying: "I saw that. I don't think it was Man United and Liverpool. It was more Man United and the rest.
"They'd all grown up together those Man United players. They had been in youth teams together. They would always sit together at meal times.
"It was just like the five best mates together. They'd all come through together. It was a tight-knit thing. They were best mates. They had a great youth team. It was more of a case of that.
"There were that many of them. They had such a good team. They probably had seven or eight in the squad at the same time.
"It was probably difficult for anyone to break into that little group and get to know them."

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...he-could-retire-next-year-article808860.html#

 

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[h=1]Guardiola reveals real reason why he refuses to sign a long-term Barca contract[/h] Published 10:49 07/10/11 By MirrorFootball

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...sign-a-long-term-contract-article808938.html#

Pep Guardiola has revealed why he refuses to sign a long-term contract at Barcelona.
Despite having landed three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies since taking over the Catalans in 2008, the maverick manager continues to be employed on a season-by-season basis. Guardiola's current deal expires in the summer of 2012.
"Every day I think that I could be leaving the day after. I work better when I know that I have the freedom to decide my own future," he told Sport.
"There is a risk that you lose your passion for what you do when you sign a long-term contract. It is all about passion. The biggest wealth that someone can have is doing something that you really like. That is the essence of everything in my opinion."

 

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[h=1]Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Friday's papers[/h] Published 08:13 07/10/11 By Football Spy

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-on-his-way-to-Manchester-article808924.html#

The transfer window may be shut, but some clubs are already planning their assault on the next one in January.
Here's the best stories from today's papers:
Transfer stories from today's Daily Mirror
I could retire next year admits Carragher

QPR loan striker to goal-shy Championship side
Arsenal 'bought Arteta without a medical'
Bristol City interview Dave Jones
Forest in cash fight over Paul Hart
Wolves misfit Milijas issues quit threat
Today's transfer stories from other papers and websites
Tottenham are lining up a move for Crewe 's teenage wonderkid Max Clayton (Daily Mail)
Russian club Terek Grozny want Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka (Daily Mail)
Everton are considering a move for Caen defender Yroundu Musavu-King (Daily Mail)
Coventry City have told Freddy Eastwood to find a new club (Daily Mail)
QPR winger Hogan Ephraim is being lined up for a loan move to Crystal Palace, while Patrick Agyemang will join Millwal l for a month (Daily Mail)
Juventus want to sign Carlos Tevez on loan (talkSPORT)
Robin Van Persie has put Manchester City and Manchester United on alert after hinting that he wants to remain in the Premier League (Metro)
Rafael Van Der Vaart could be on his way out of Spurs (Metro)
QPR will take another look at Hampton & Richmond Borough defender and former triallist Dean Inman (talkSPORT)

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[h=1]Villas-Boas 'can be the Fergie of Chelsea'[/h] Published 22:50 06/10/11 By Neil McLeman

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-says-chairman-Bruce-Buck-article808896.html#

Andre Villas-Boas could be Chelsea's answer to Sir Alex Ferguson – if he wins trophies in style.
Chairman Bruce Buck said the Portuguese manager could be rewarded by remaining at the club for a decade, if he can follow the ambitious blueprint.
Buck admitted Chelsea envy the long reigns of Manchester United's* Ferguson, and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, who have been in their jobs 24 and 15 years respectively.
In contrast, Villas-Boas, 33, is the sixth Chelsea manager in a little over four years. Every boss who has failed to win a trophy under the Abramovich* era has been sacked at the end of the season – or before in Felipe Scolari's case.

But Buck said: "I'm not saying anything about how we would react if there was a period where we weren't winning trophies. And I don't want to get into that.
"I think a manager needs to have success to have a long-term relationship* with a club.
"We do envy Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of longevity, but it shouldn't be longevity for longevity's sake.
"It has to be the right guy in the job for 10 or 15 years and, in light of Andre's age, he may well be that guy.
"Longevity and stability in your manager is a good thing, but you have to do it with the right manager."
Villas-Boas has arguably a more difficult task than his Portuguese predecessor Jose Mourinho, who won two Premier League titles in pragmatic fashion.
Not only have Manchester City usurped Chelsea as English football's* big spenders, but the Blues are now expected to win in an entertaining style. Buck added: "I think it's well known that to follow the progression* – you want to win trophies, and we have started to do that.
"You want to win them creatively, and we have done some of that, and we want to do more of that. That's why we all go to football matches.
"It's other people who say you cannot win trophies while you are still developing* your creativity.
"We don't agree with that – it might take time, it might not."
Speaking at the Leaders in Football Conference, Buck added: "Everyone thought Andre Villas-Boas' age might have been a negative, but it's been a positive.
"There was a concern about how a 33-year-old manager could deal with a 31-year-old player.
"The answer is that he can do it very well. And we are very impressed with his man-management* skills.
"We are also impressed with his organisational* structure. We also think that he relates very well to the board and to Mr Abramovich, which is important.
"You not only have to relate to your players, you have to relate to your bosses as well."
Chelsea's plan to buy back Stamford Bridge from shareholders has attracted opposition from Blues fans fearing another site has already been identified.
An EGM of the Chelsea Pitch Owners will be held on October 27 to vote on the proposal.
And Buck insisted: "There is no conspiracy here. I am sorry that a few fans have indicated there is a lack of clarity.
"We think three weeks is plenty of time. We didn't expect every Chelsea Pitch Owner to agree from day one. Some will never agree.
"There is a small, but vocal minority, who want to stay at Stamford Bridge."
**
FERGUSON v WENGER v VILLAS-BOAS
The records of the Prem's old hands and the new kid on the block
SIR ALEX FERGUSON
Record at Man United
PLAYED WON DRAWN LOST
1403 832 325 246
Trophies won at Old Trafford: 2 Champions League, 1 Cup-Winners' Cup, 12 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups
*
ARSENE WENGER
Record at Arsenal
PLAYED WON DRAWN LOST
1295 660 291 314
Trophies won at Arsenal: 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups
*
ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS
Record at previous club Porto
PLAYED WON DRAWN LOST
58 49 5 4
Trophies won at Porto: 1 Europa Lge, 1 Portuguese Lge title, 1 Portuguese Cup

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[h=1]Terry has unfinished business with Euros[/h] Published 22:45 06/10/11 By John Cross in Podgorica

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...issing-out-on-2008-finals-article808861.html#

John Terry has set his sights on making up for lost time in next summer's Euro 2012 Championship finals.
Terry is still haunted by missing England's defeat to Croatia in 2007 through injury - a loss which meant they did not qualify for Euro 2008.
But the England captain believes today's team are much better equipped to succeed next summer than the 2007 version - and says the pain of failure last time will be their driving force.
Chelsea defender Terry said: "It was devastating to be sitting there and to miss the Croatia game.

"I could have opted for injections. I'd just come back from a knee operation and had literally trained for two or three days. I just wasn't fully fit for that kind of game.
"I was kicking myself as the game panned out for sitting there.
"Still, to this day, I wonder should I have said, ‘Sod it' and played? Thankfully I'm here now and, like all of us, we're all fit and in good condition, playing well for our clubs.
"With that in mind, we're looking good at the moment. Concentrating on ourselves more than anyone else at the moment."
Terry believes the 2007 failure under Steve McClaren has only served to make the current squad even more determined.
"I wouldn't say 'scarred,'" he said. "Disappointed would be the word. We'd like to go out there and make amends for where we've gone wrong in our careers.
"The only way to do that is on the pitch and in a big tournament.
"We've got a chance to do that now, to get to a big tournament, and learn from where we went wrong. But until we actually get to that level of tournament again, you can't contemplate this or that. We have to get there first.
"Once we get there, the excitement of getting there is beyond anything. That's the overall aim of everyone in the squad.
"We've worked hard to get in the position we're in.
"It's in our hands to take it to the next level and put ourselves in the Euros."
Rooney: Dad's bet scam arrest a bolt from the blue
Capello expects full Monte from Rooney
England set for TWO selection gambles
Montenegro will rest three key players for England match
Hart: This is my biggest game for England
Capello: I don't care what players do off the pitch as long as they win
Terry backs Rio to return for Euro 2012
Capello's No.2 will start work at Roma next week
Euro 2012: How the qualifying groups stand

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Rooney: Dad's bet scam arrest a bolt from the blue[/h] Published 23:00 06/10/11 By Paul Byrne & Tom Bryant

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...ged-football-betting-scam-article808902.html#

Wayne Rooney is trying to focus on England's crucial Euro 2012 qualifier after his dad was arrested for alleged betting fraud.
The Manchester United striker was left stunned when the homes of Wayne Senior and his uncle Richie were raided.
The star told a pal ahead of Friday night's key England match: "It's a bolt from the blue."
But Rooney insisted he would set his family worries aside when he steps out on the pitch for his country against Montenegro.

A confidante said: "To say he was surprised is a massive understatement. He had no idea it was coming but now his complete focus is on the England game.
"Wayne is totally not involved in any way."
Wayne Snr, 48, and Richie Rooney, 54, were two of nine men taken into custody in planned raids at 7am on Thursday.
They were quizzed at police stations in Liverpool for up to seven hours over suspicious betting patterns surrounding the sending-off of Scottish Premier League player Steve Jennings, 26.
They were later released on bail pending further inquiries.
Merseyside-born Jennings, who is a former Tranmere Rovers midfielder and now plays for Motherwell, was also arrested at his home in Glasgow and later freed.
He was given a red card during a game between Motherwell and Hearts on December 14 last year.
After getting a yellow card early in the game for a foul, he was sent off in the 83rd minute for putting his hand on referee Stevie O'Reilly and arguing over a rejected penalty appeal.
Jennings allegedly asked O'Reilly when he was going to stop "cheating" his team.
Questions were later raised by bookmakers when it emerged several bets were made on a player being sent off including a £500 punt placed through a new account opened in Liverpool at odds of 10/1.
The nine arrests were revealed exclusively on the Mirror's website, and splashed around the globe.
Richie Rooney is the manager of successful Liverpool Sunday League team Oyster Martyrs, who won the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup Final in May.
His team, which included son Thomas, 26, and Wayne Jnr's brother Graham, 23, beat fellow Liverpool side Paddock 1-0 in the final held at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park ground.
After being released on bail, Richie returned to his semi-detached home in Croxteth.
At Wayne Snr's home in West Derby, son Graham arrived in an Audi with a friend but declined to comment.
Footballer Jennings, who denies any wrong-doing, is a life-long Evertonian and was in the Goodison Park club's youth set-up for a short period at the same time as Wayne Rooney.
He moved across the River Mersey to join Tranmere Rovers' youth team in 1998 before breaking into the first team and joining Motherwell in 2009.
The midfielder was taken to Merseyside from Scotland after his arrest.
Two members of the Association of British Bookmakers, including online betting company Blue Square, flagged up concerns over a number of bets the day after Jennings was sent off.
Merseyside Police and the Gambling Commission have spent nine months investigating the concerns.
The nine men – aged from 22 to 68 – were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and were released on police bail until late January while inquiries continue.
Anthony Barnfather, a partner at Pannone Solicitors who represent Wayne Snr, said his client "vigorously denied" the allegations.
He added: "We are co-operating fully with the investigation."
Scottish FA chief Stewart Regan yesterday said the arrests followed *extensive enquiries into alleged betting irregularities.
He added: "While the investigation involves several other individuals outside Scotland, it is important to stress that the evidence gathered throughout this thorough period of investigation has involved only one Scottish match."
**
Gambling on football exploded in the UK with the birth of online betting in the late 1990s, which enabled fans to have a punt from the comfort of their own homes.
They can now put wagers on anything from the time of the first throw-in to how many corners there will be.
Before internet gambling, these bets could usually only be placed with *unlicensed *back street bookies.
Even more gamblers were attracted to football with the introduction of in-play betting, where you can put money on matches during a game.
Firms such as Betfair allow fans to bet against each other rather than a bookie – allowing punters to set their own odds and *potentially win even more.
Capello expects full Monte from Rooney
England set for TWO selection gambles
Montenegro will rest three key players for England match
Hart: This is my biggest game for England
Terry has unfinished business with Euros
Capello: I don't care what players do off the pitch as long as they win
Terry backs Rio to return for Euro 2012
Capello's No.2 will start work at Roma next week
Euro 2012: How the qualifying groups stand

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Another bizarre story of Rooney unfolds as he is being shown the door with a red card...........

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Robert Enke's life story should make us pause before we castigate[/h] English football can learn lessons from the German reaction to the death of the international goalkeeper

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• • Amy Lawrence
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 7 October 2011 10.01 BST Article history
  
  The goalkeeper Robert Enke in action for Germany against Belgium. Photograph: Torsten Silz/AFP/Getty Images
  
  There was, very recently, a case in the Bundesliga of a player who wanted to kill himself. When it came to light, the club arranged for the player to be privately admitted to a clinic, they kept in regular contact with his doctors, and continued the full payment of his salary for the duration of his treatment.
  Nobody can say for sure whether this would have happened were it not for the heartbreaking example of Robert Enke, the Germany goalkeeper who suffered from depression and took his own life two years ago. But it is clear that football in Germany is more enlightened about the psychological pressures on its elite sportsmen than most. There is now a network of sports psychiatrists available to the Bundesliga – a job description that did not used to exist – which works outside of clubs to help those afraid of being open about their problems. And there is less severity from the public when someone in football appears to be experiencing a hard time, as if there is a tacit acknowledgement that life at the sharp end is not necessarily the dream job that it is supposed to be, millionaire wages or not.
  The writer Ronald Reng, who was a friend of Enke's and took on the task of accounting his story in the exceptional book A Life Too Short – The Tragedy of Robert Enke, has been taken aback by the reaction to this deeply personal memoir. The book became a bestseller in Germany straight away, and he cannot even begin to count how many people with depression wrote to him, and how many players and agents called him up to talk about issues so easily kept hidden that he had brought to the surface.
  "The last wish Robert had was to write this book," says Reng. "At least there is an understanding of what someone suffering depression goes through. Through Robert's death there is in Germany a higher understanding that this is an illness and that people need help."
  It is an extraordinary and vivid account, which evokes Enke's feelings of escalating anxiety in what might be perceived as everyday occurrences for a footballer. The stress of trying to avoid mistakes, the fear of public ridicule, the worry about the coach's decisions, the dread of moving to a new club and into the unknown. Reng recounts conversations between Enke and his friends and family, his team-mates and goalkeeping rivals, and what comes across so painfully is the way episodes of depression changed Enke from a warm, kind and thoughtful man into someone so troubled that he could barely face getting out of bed.
  Contemplating Enke's worries as he begins training at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal, or his desperation as he sits in a room in Istanbul and realises he cannot go through with a move to Fenerbahce that all parties have agreed on, or his doubts about the competition to be Germany's No1 for the 2010 World Cup, makes you stop for a moment and reassess the criticism of footballers we dole out so freely, as media and as fans.
  There is clearly an important distinction to be made between Enke, whose illness cost him his life, and those in football who are experiencing setbacks. But it is not so terrible to give some thought to the pressure-cooker environment high level sportsmen exist within. Footballer X misses the latest in a series of sitters? Manager Y has lost the game, the dressing room, and quite possibly the plot? Referee Z flunks the critical decision in the game? In English football the default reaction is to mock, to berate, to intimidate. After reading Reng's book I have looked in the mirror and felt ashamed about some opinions I have dived into. It is so easy to rush to judgment, to make a cartoon villain of someone or vent spleen from a position of the supposed moral high ground.
  Reng, who worked in England for several years, is interested to note the cultural differences in terms of relations between the players and the public. "The image of the footballer in England is just terrible at the moment," he says. "They are just seen like prats, like young people misbehaving. It is not as cliched in Germany. It is not the case that you automatically expect a footballer to have lost contact with reality. In fact it is quite the opposite. The number of footballers in the Bundesliga who have done [the German equivalent of] A-levels is higher than the national average. They are much better educated, and in general have a much more positive image and are treated respectfully."
  Reng's book has been translated into English and Dutch, and we can only hope that the message that has filtered through German football has a wider spread.
  
  The Tragedy of Robert Enke, by Robert Reng, is published by Yellow Press
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Vidic in line for comeback at Anfield[/h] Published 22:30 07/10/11 By David McDonnell

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...verpool-after-calf-injury-article809128.html#

Nemanja Vidic is winning the battle to make his long-awaited return against Liverpool next weekend.
Manchester United skipper Vidic has been out since the opening weekend of the season after suffering a calf injury at West Brom.
But Vidic was given permission by United to join up with the Serbia squad and is in line to start against Slovenia on Tuesday.
If he comes through that game without any problems, Vidic is likely to make his comeback for United at Anfield against their arch rivals next Saturday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Vidic would have to train hard to be considered for the Liverpool game, but the decision to allow the defender to go away with Serbia suggests he is nearing a return.
Liverpool's Johnson aiming to face United
Sky and ESPN festive TV games announced

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]French toast! Joe Cole is a star at Lille[/h] Published 22:00 07/10/11 By Darren Lewis

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...loan-in-France-with-Lille-article809122.html#

Joe Cole is making great strides on the road back to the big time.
The 2006 World Cup star has been an outsider as Fabio Capello's England moved towards Euro 2012.
But, having moved to French champions Lille from Liverpool on a season-long loan, the 29-year-old has hit the ground running.
He is the first England international to play in the French top flight for two decades and has earned rave reviews for his skill and trickery.

Although Capello's squad for the finals in Poland and the Ukraine next summer is busy picking itself, Cole could yet gate-crash the party after seemingly finding his spiritual home in northern France.
"I felt the spirit right away," said Cole. "Everyone here seems to understand one another and be friends.
"It's a relaxing and cheerful place. The working environment is excellent and it is a pleasure to come and work here every day."
It is all a far cry from this time last year, when his dream Bosman move from Chelsea quickly turned into a nightmare.
After making his Liverpool debut in the Europa League, Cole was sent off on his Premier League debut for a challenge on Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.
On his return from suspension, he failed to find the form that had catapulted him into the England picture and taken him to the World Cup in Germany.
Then, at the end of last October, Cole picked up a hamstring injury that halted his progress even further.
By the end of the season, he'd made just nine Premier League starts and 11 appearances off the bench, and become more and more of a peripheral figure.
He is back with a bang at Lille, however, showing he can make goals as well as take them as his confidence levels grow.
He is already conversing with his missus Carly in French as he bids to master the language and is pleased to have taken the gamble of moving abroad.
"English people, in general, are not great travellers, and nor are we great at going somewhere and staying there," said Cole.
"We are islanders, which people tend to forget. As soon as I arrived at the Luchin (Lille's training base) and met my team-mates, I knew that I had made the right decision."
Lille are unbeaten since Cole's arrival at the end of the transfer window.
Should he clinch League, Cup or European success, he will join a select group of top British names that have clinched silverware abroad.
They include Chris Waddle who, in 1998, was voted the second best Marseille player of the century (behind Jean-Pierre Papin) having won the French title three times and been a runner-up in the European Cup.
David Beckham spent four years at Real Madrid, where he lifted the La Liga title under Capello.
As a player, Norwich boss Paul Lambert became the first Brit to win the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997.
And Steve McManaman lifted the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid 11 years ago having scored in the Final.
Cole's first impressions of football in France are of a far more cerebral game to that played in the Premier League.
"It is very technical, and very tactical. That is the principal philosophy of this league," he said.
"Players in Ligue 1 are very intelligent. Everything is thought through - it is very different to England.
"I wouldn't say that it is better or worse. Usually, it should take three to six months for a player to settle into playing in a new league.
"I am just very happy with the way things have gone so far as I have adapted very quickly."
Lille sit fifth in the French League - four points off cash-drenched leaders PSG - with every team having played nine games so far.
Cole has praised coach Rudi Garcia for the exciting brand of football that is slowly helping him back to his creative best.
He said: "I share his philosophy: attacking football, movement and possession of the ball.
"These things are crucial. If you have 60 per cent of the possession in most league games, you will be able to attack and score more.
"It is exciting."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal are the latest club to scout CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev, 21, who Gunners forward Andrey Arshavin says is 'the most talented young footballer in Russia'.
Full story: Metro
Aston Villa and Everton are among 'several Premier League sides' interested in Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic after the midfielder's agent backtracked on suggestions his client will remain in Italy.
Full story: Metro
Liverpool are set to go head-to-head with Premier league rivals Manchester United to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Full story: Inside Futbol
Manchester United are believed to be interested in signing midfielder Claudio Marchisio from Serie A giants Juventus in the January transfer window.
Full story: Caught Offside
Chelsea's South American scout Jorge Alvial says the club could be ready to make a move to sign Chilean defender Igor Lichnovsky, 17, from Universidad de Chile.
Full story: Footylatest.com

OTHER GOSSIP
Aston Villa midfielder Jermaine Jenas has been not to work so hard after being ruled out for three weeks with an Achilles problem. The 28-year-old is on loan at Villa Park from Tottenham, and is yet to feature for Alex McLeish's side after picking up a knock in training.
Full story: the Sun
Defender Per Mertesacker has admitted he is still having 'communication problems' at Arsenal and said it is no surprise they have endured such a slow start to the season.
Full story: Metro
Nottingham Forest are believed to want current Derby manager Nigel Clough to follow in the footsteps of his legendary manager Brian and become their new boss.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz admits he is struggling to settle into life in the Premier League.
Full story: the Sun
Theo Walcott's agent has admitted he 'doesn't know' if the winger will sign an extension to his current deal at Arsenal.
Full story: Metro
Former Fulham, Manchester City and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has admitted he hopes to one day return to former club Chelsea as manager.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Real Madrid winger Pedro Leon has revealed a proposed January transfer to Chelsea was blocked by former Blues manager Jose Mourinho.
Full story: Metro
AND FINALLY
Atletico Excurionistas goalkeeper Marcos Fascanella has become an internet sensation after the highlights from an Argentinean cup match showed him saving five penalties in a single match against Argentino de Merlo. Full story: Metro

 

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FOOTBALL
Blackburn fans plan fresh protest

Blackburn make history by playing in India as fans back home plan another protest against manager Steve Kean.

KEY INFO: Transfers - October 2011 | Club news on mobile

 

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Football across the BBC

Friday's gossip column
Juventus want to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez on loan, plus other rumours

Latest football blogs & features

Capello sees rugby parallels
Fabio Capello sympathises with Martin Johnson

Pressure point for Montenegro
The spotlight falls on Montenegro ahead of their qualifier against England

Parker seizes his chance
Spurs midfielder discusses his hopes for England

Uncertain England future for Ferdinand
Phil McNulty on the Manchester United defender's international prospects

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[h=1]Ferdinand faces fight for future[/h]

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Post categories: England, Euro 2012
Phil McNulty | 16:52 UK time, Tuesday, 4 October 2011


Rio Ferdinand used his Twitter feed to see the lighter side of his current career difficulties when he suggested he may start training with his young son's school team "if selected".
Sir Alex Ferguson left Ferdinand on the bench for Manchester United's victory against Norwich City on Saturday after a chaotic defensive performance in the Champions League draw against Basel at Old Trafford.
And Ferdinand will be confined to club activities as England's squad takes their plane to Podgorica on Thursday morning en route to their final Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro.
So while Ferdinand may innocently make light of his situation, there is no doubt the problem he faces for club and country is no laughing matter.

United striker Danny Welbeck was paraded in front of the media at England's Hertfordshire headquarters on Tuesday and was glowing in his praise for club team-mate Ferdinand, despite the defender's absence from the national squad.
"We all know what capabilities he's got - he's a Rolls-Royce of a defender," Welbeck said. "It's wrong to write him off. We all know the ability he's got."
Welbeck, along with Phil Jones and the absent Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling, are part of the new Old Trafford generation mapping out England's future up to and beyond Euro 2012.

Ferdinand's England career looks under threat with the emergence of fellow United defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Photo: Getty

Ferdinand's job now is to make sure he is part of that plan, but there is no doubt he faces a fight to ensure he is a regular for club and country this season and into next summer's showpiece, should England get the point they need in Podgorica on Friday to ensure qualification.
Capello chose to ignore Ferdinand despite the fact that he was back in United's team after injury, albeit unconvincingly against Stoke City and Basel.
And while the Italian is notoriously single-minded, some may even say random, in matters of team selection it is highly unlikely that he failed to note Ferguson's decision to relegate Ferdinand behind Evans and Jones on Saturday, even with the experience of captain Nemanja Vidic still missing.
Frank Lampard is already demonstrating the folly of writing off players who have achieved great things for their club in the past, coming back to form for Chelsea after his exclusion in Bulgaria was greeted with undisguised glee in some quarters.
So the notion of making Ferdinand this month's Lampard is a dangerous occupation. He has done too much to be written off on the basis of this non-selection.
Ferdinand, a hugely popular figure within Capello's squad, has suffered a torrid 18 months with England. He almost set the tone for the calamity in South Africa when he sustained a serious knee injury on the first day of training in Rustenburg, then saw the captaincy handed back to John Terry by Capello in ham-fisted fashion in March.
It appeared Ferdinand's relationship with Capello had dipped after they missed each other and failed to discuss the issue at Old Trafford, but those fences have since been mended.
Now, with his fitness restored, come doubts about his form. Ferdinand looked hesitant and ponderous against Basel - although this could also be attributed to ring rustiness after his previous absence.
A proud wearer of the England shirt, he is as likely as Lampard to go quietly, but as he watches Capello's side in action in Podgorica's City Stadium on Friday, he will be grimly aware he is battling for his international future.
Barring accidents, Terry will lead England if they reach Poland and Ukraine and Jones may yet emerge as the figure Ferdinand will have to get past to prolong his career for club and country.
Gary Cahill is the current central defensive incumbent alongside Terry and likely to start in Montenegro after a steady defensive performance - and a goal - in the 3-0 win in Sofia as well as playing his part in the narrow victory against Wales.
Cahill, however, has been part of a Bolton defence shipping goals at a confidence-sapping rate this season and is another under threat from the emergence of the raw but lavishly-talented Jones.
Jones is the man Ferguson has bought for Manchester United's future. And with a season of development at Old Trafford to come there is a growing sense that he will be ready to take his place for England by the time Euro 2012 starts, if they can confirm their place.
Everton's Phil Jagielka is another player Capello admires, but Jones was used in training sessions alongside Terry in Sofia before he opted for Cahill and the England captain was effusive in his admiration for the 19-year-old's ability and attitude.
Already there is talk that Jones is naturally built to take the England captain's armband further down the line.
United's 3-3 draw against Basel was a chastening experience for Jones as well as Ferdinand, confirmation that he can still be manoeuvred out of position at the highest level and may also need to row back slightly on a wonderful sense of adventure that can occasionally take him into uncharted territory.
Jones may yet feature at right-back in Podgorica with Chris Smalling out, although Capello has options in Kyle Walker and Micah Richards, but the powerful youngster's all-round versatility and obvious leadership qualities only add to his attraction as a player.
So the focus of rejection has switched from Lampard to Ferdinand - and while he may Tweet light-heartedly about his plight he will not move quietly into the shadows if England confirm their place at Euro 2012 on Friday.


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• [h=4]1.[/h] At 18:14 4th Oct 2011, jonfarrugia wrote: This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 2.[/h] At 18:15 4th Oct 2011, U13778349 wrote: Time to clear out the old guard. Lampard, Gerrard, Terry and Ferdinand have had plenty of opportunities but have failed to achieve success at the highest level. By the next WC they will all be too old.
  
  England should use the Euros to blood the talented youngsters available and build a team ready for 2014.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 3.[/h] At 18:15 4th Oct 2011, sirHellsBells wrote: Not 100% sold on Jones' ability to defend at this moment, great going forward but to say he is a future England captain already is premature. Smalling isnt good enough at all in my opinion but I know I will get shouted down for that.
  
  Anyway regarding Rio it does look like injuries have caught up with him, I believe flying can even cause problems which doesnt help for international football. He looked well off the pace v Basle & Vidic has probably helped cover up some of his decline.
  
  Good to see someone not being picked if not playing or in form like it should be.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 4.[/h] At 18:16 4th Oct 2011, Jesus the Teddy Bear wrote: He has not been fit and after the EC game midweek he has shown his form is erratic as the moment, so with that he does not deserve to be picked.
  
  
  I wish England managers past, present and fiture would pick form players and not on the name.
  
  Long may it continue.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 5.[/h] At 18:21 4th Oct 2011, cuzzy27 wrote: If Mr Capello had made these decisions earlier in his tenure he may have been more successful when it mattered. Foolishly persisting with reputations (ie Gerard and Lampard having to play together) instead of picking on form sends a message to those players. Look at Lampards response to not being picked for Chelsea.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 6.[/h] At 18:23 4th Oct 2011, Everton-DK wrote: Don't know why Man United's defenders are being bigged up at the moment when they're defense is as leaky as i've ever seen them.
  
  Just general Manchester bias going around at the moment?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 7.[/h] At 18:24 4th Oct 2011, Everton-DK wrote: *their
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 8.[/h] At 18:27 4th Oct 2011, jstan wrote: Rio and Lamps were loyal servants to their country but it's hardly Moore and Charlton we're saying goodbye to.
  
  Definitely for the best.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 9.[/h] At 18:29 4th Oct 2011, Harry Hotspur wrote: Let Ferdinand go, let Terry go, same for Lampard and Gerrard. They are past their best and there are plenty of up-and-comers who would benefit from the experience in good time for the 2014 World Cup. But of course, Capello has no reason to think about the future. Good work on that score, FA.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 10.[/h] At 18:29 4th Oct 2011, The Tenth Beetle wrote: Its time for the younger players to get a chance to gel for England. Out with the likes of Fedinand and Lampard who have been part of England failures for years and with the like of Jones and Smalling.
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 11.[/h] At 18:31 4th Oct 2011, dogeared wrote: Every player has to be picked on their performances, and that is why both Ferdinand and Lampard should never play for England again.
  
  Terry and Gerard still have plenty to give.
  
  Jones has a future, but he wasn't much cop in the U21's.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 12.[/h] At 18:40 4th Oct 2011, TSC - Come on Martin Gould wrote: Even as a Man Utd fan I say Rio's too old. He'll do for another season or two to help with Jones' progress but I can't see him doing much more on the international scene.
  
  I think Gerrard is passed it too. (Calm down Liverpool fans!!)
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 13.[/h] At 18:41 4th Oct 2011, Andy wrote: #6 Everton-DK
  
  Have to agree our defense has been a bit wobbly of late, more from playing too far up the pitch than the quality of defenders though.
  
  I think Rio's time must be getting near due to his persistent injury problems if nothing else. For tournament football you need to choose from a squad that will be not injury prone, unfortunately Rio is these days.
  
  Frankly Jones is doing OK, just needs to be a little more defense minded which if played with Terry should be OK.
  
  There is already a growing group for the position both Rio and Terry have held for so long. This is positive for the England teams future.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 14.[/h] At 18:43 4th Oct 2011, Jaz Hayre wrote: So this is the new media target.
  
  De Gea - Nope didn't get him
  Carroll - Nope didn't get him
  Lampard - Nope didn't get him
  Ferdinand - Oh may be!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 15.[/h] At 18:49 4th Oct 2011, beckhamsno1fan wrote: like no.2 has already said we should blood in the youngsters. im one of a few who still believe someone experienced players still have some to give however virtually all of them will be gone for the 2014 cup and realistically we're not going to win the euros. even though we do have the players to do so, they never seem to perform for england.
  hopefully if we play the youngsters now and continue to until the world, they should be at a high enough level and gelled enough to win the tournament
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 16.[/h] At 18:52 4th Oct 2011, Herbi J wrote: "defense" "they're their there" ? any english speakers out their?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 17.[/h] At 18:53 4th Oct 2011, gameboyabhi wrote: Like it or not, Ferdinand still has some juice left. He has lost pace, but by no means has he lost his skills. Yes, he wasn't good against Basel, but that was one match. And of course SAF is gonna try jones and evans and give them some game time against Norwich at home. Defenders have a slightly later expiry date than midfielders and if Lampard can defy people, so can Ferdinand.
  
  Actually, i am glad Phil wrote this. He questioned De Gea, De Gea puts in fab performances. He questions Lampard, guy goes and gets a hat trick. Which surely means than Ferdinand is gonna be Defender of the year.
  
  He actually jokes about himself being dropped, and encourages Jones. That alone shows his value, not only to United, but to England. Guy from whose Defensive experience others can gain from. he should be on the plane to the Euros just for that.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 18.[/h] At 18:54 4th Oct 2011, Jesus the Teddy Bear wrote: WOT U ON ABUT EYE GOT A* IN ME INGLISH GCSSEEEEEEE
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 19.[/h] At 18:54 4th Oct 2011, TJLM wrote: Hard to say. I'd want to keep some of the old guard in, maybe Gerrard specifically. If Capello/future England managers do keep these players in the squad, then I do hope they surround them with players that can learn from them. When Wilshere is back, he and Gerrard could maintain a mean midfield.
  
  I'm disappointed Crouch and Defoe aren't getting a chance with Capello at the reins - their England records are fantastic, especially Peter's.
  
  Even though I believe players like Hargreaves, Owen and Joe Cole would relish and possibly succeed if they got another call up, I just don't see it happening. I believe Daniel Sturridge deserves a senior call, however.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 20.[/h] At 18:55 4th Oct 2011, TJLM wrote: Let me just make it plain that I'm a complete neutral, and would love to see any deserving player get a call up.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 21.[/h] At 18:56 4th Oct 2011, mpk87 wrote: Of course Rio still has a future with England, as long his form and fitness merits it. He is no different to any other player in this respect. Several top players pushing for the same position is a great thing for England, and starting places should be allotted on merit, not on name. Hopefully the days of the same faces constantly holding a monopoly over places in the England team are numbered.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 22.[/h] At 18:57 4th Oct 2011, TheTrawler wrote: so this is what the english football media has come to is it?
  
  the BBC's so-called chief sports reporter basing a blog around what a footballer tweeted. get a grip.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 23.[/h] At 18:59 4th Oct 2011, JoeDavisRoach wrote: I think Phil McNulty is a notorious bandwagoner and this article is more of the same.
  
  The united defence hasnt actally been all that great. Going forward they have been great but not so in defence. Smalling and Jones are what they are which is potential rather than proven class. I havent been overly impressed with them in defence thus and certainly dont see them as international starters to build a team on. Even Norwich last weekend could have put a few past them and that was without Ferdinand to blame.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 24.[/h] At 19:00 4th Oct 2011, Herbi J wrote: I am right with TJLM. Poor old Crouch, scores goals wherever he goes and has a brilliant record for England and, because he looks a bit gangly, people who have no idea about football (and can't play for toffee themselves) say "he isn't international class", like they know what that is.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 25.[/h] At 19:00 4th Oct 2011, Jesus the Teddy Bear wrote: @22
  
  Are you really surprised ?
  
  If you would like to reply to this comment please use our twitter pages @bbc606 @bbcfootball, @insertpersonasname here, or one of our contless facebook sites.
  
  #bbcfootball
  
  etc etc etc....
  
  Someone should investigate the BBC because they use the TV licence for advertising private company's anyone ever notice half the presenters flashing ipads about also ? 😛
  😀
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 26.[/h] At 19:02 4th Oct 2011, Stokerambo wrote: Why is this news worth a blog? Ferdinand has been injured for the best part of 18 months and he has not been the player he was for about 2 years. Whilst acknowledging the service he has given both club and country, I doubt he has the pace to keep with demands at the highest level on a consistent basis. But again, anyone who has watched him play over the last few seasons at United will be able to confirm his demise. Write him off at your peril, though, he will still have a role to play for both club and country, maybe a break from duties is what he needs.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 27.[/h] At 19:03 4th Oct 2011, Tootingflyer wrote: Great player at his peak, was Rio. Father Time catches up with all of us, and he has Rio by the collar now. I cannot see England needing his services anymore, and Man u will probably let him go when contract expires. It was fun watching you RF.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 28.[/h] At 19:03 4th Oct 2011, houfanne wrote: I think it is unwise to write Ferdinand off at the moment. The experience he brings together with Lampard, Gerrard and Terry is invaluable. I think all should be included in England's Euro 2012 squad, not neccesarily in the starting line up but they should all make the squad. Many have taken example of Germany's young squad doing so well in the World Cup but remember they still fell short. We should take example of Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph. Italy had plenty of players over 30 with bags of experience knowing that it was probably their last chance to win a major competition and you could see the determination and committment in their play. It just might be the same for England. Euro 2012 is the last major competition for Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard, Gerrard, Cole and Barry. They know it and they'll be determined come the Euros.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 29.[/h] At 19:15 4th Oct 2011, Tim Jevons wrote: Too many distractions as ever, was he really worth an article about? Thought he was better under O'Leary, got away with alot, good players mopping up his mistakes. Bad example all round.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 30.[/h] At 19:17 4th Oct 2011, prawnbutty wrote: This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 31.[/h] At 19:23 4th Oct 2011, Adam wrote: Good riddance, he's always been over hyped IMO. Should Steven Taylor of Newcastle have gotten a call up? Been one of the stand out defenders in the Prem and part of the meanest defence in the league
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 32.[/h] At 19:30 4th Oct 2011, Kapnag wrote: haha, yet another United player being carried by his team mates.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 33.[/h] At 19:34 4th Oct 2011, boils wrote: Ferdinand has a future. Cahill isnt international class.
  
  England's problems in the big tournaments is they look dis-joined and clueless in midfield. The defence has always stood up.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 34.[/h] At 19:34 4th Oct 2011, Zeemo wrote: Dont understand why some of you are getting your undies in a twist about this blog.
  
  Rio has had, and some may argue is STILL having, a very successful career.
  He's won more or less everything club football has to offer. To date, has 81 England caps.
  
  Having been left out of utds starting line up when fit and available and now being left out by Capello again when fit and available does merit some headline news and maybe a blog on the subject.
  
  To echo one or two previous comments - he could still be a valuable member of the England squad. He has a wealth of experience. But will only get selected if he get some game time at Utd, and rightly so.
  
  It's getting the game time at Utd that could be the problem now.
  If Jones and Smalling continue to excel he could be warming the bench for quite a while.
  
  Pick players on merit and form and not by name, that's what I always say.
  Will never understand why some people say a player shouldnt get picked for a national team because by 2014 he will be 34/35. That's 3 years away!
  
  What about the here and now?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 35.[/h] At 19:35 4th Oct 2011, Kapnag wrote: Stephen Taylor ahead of Ferdinand. Goodness me. As for saying he's finished, he gave away something like 1 free kick in six months last season or something ridiculous like that. Amazing how John Terry who has had similar injury and stage of career problems escapes any sort of attention
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 36.[/h] At 19:35 4th Oct 2011, shadow warrior wrote: Rio has had an amazing career and is has won the biggest trophies in football. But then in the twilight of his career and plagued by injuries he gets spoken about like this. Its so disrespectful and anyone saying bad comments should really be ashamed of themselves. All football matches now are being played at a much faster pace, and obviously as players age they will find it harder to compete. Rio oer his career has been a great football player, a great role model and a person who has fought racism and helped to build community relations. He suffered a few bad injuries and was one of the few players that really played for England with Pride.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 37.[/h] At 19:37 4th Oct 2011, TheTrawler wrote: Rio Ferdinand has been the bedrock of the defence of a team that has won 5 of the 9 titles since his move to United, and reached 3 out of the last 4 CL finals. Claiming he is/was over-rated is ridiculous.
  
  United's defensive troubles this season need to be kept in perspective. There were big changes in the summer, there have been a string of injuries which have led to constant changes, and United have the best goal difference in the league.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 38.[/h] At 19:38 4th Oct 2011, We all follow United wrote: Good riddance, he's always been over hyped IMO. Should Steven Taylor of Newcastle have gotten a call up? Been one of the stand out defenders in the Prem and part of the meanest defence in the league
  
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  Steven Taylor isn't even in the top 10 central defenders in England. Newcastle's defence has looked good this season but look at who they have played. Only one team in the top half so far.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 39.[/h] At 19:40 4th Oct 2011, red_optimism wrote: Don't know why Man United's defenders are being bigged up at the moment when they're defense is as leaky as i've ever seen them.
  
  ____________
  
  only newcastle have conceded less in the league - Utd haven't even played their strongest defence once yet (de gea, rafael, rio, vidic, evra). They've played the same defence consecutively in just 2 games.
  
  People are bigging them up as jones and smalling are future england regulars, and the da silvas are future brazil regulars.
  
  why are they being bigged up? Do you ever watch football? They are future stars. Vidic is probably the best CB in the league, Evra has been at least the 2nd best left back in the league since he arrived.
  
  Really stupid and pointless remark you have made there!!!
  
  So a young relatively inexperienced utd defence that changes around a lot due to injuries have conceded 5 league goals in 7 games - big deal
  
  Jags and Baines are highly regarded, yet everton have conceded 8 in 6 - does that mean they are actually bad players? Everton have had their strongest defence out in virtually every game.
  
  You statement wasn't worth the effort it took to write it!!!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 40.[/h] At 19:45 4th Oct 2011, mtrenners wrote: Tottenham fan here
  
  First up, on his day Ferdinand is a really good defender
  
  However, in my opinion this is all too late and I really can't believe he's continued getting call ups as long as he has. Particularly after a dreadful world cup by England the focus should have been on capping younger centre backs, instead capello did that only when Terry and Ferdinand were missing.
  
  Phil you speak of comparing him with Lampard. Well arguably both are past their best and younger models should be blooded, however one crucial difference is that unlike Ferdinand, Lampard has been fit for the vast majority of the past 3 years and has played and continues to be available on a regular basis for club and country - indeed it was just one injury that took longer to recover from than expected that ruined his record.
  
  The facts are that even well before the world cup Ferdinand was missing a lot of games through injury, in fact he was missing as many games as my own team's player Ledley King. Yet the media and capello seemed to take completely conflicting stances with King and Ferdinand - with King it was a case of 'you can't take the risk' apart from with the world cup, yet with Rio it was pick him whatever, and not just that make him captain.
  
  Thing is, even if he gets back to full form and fitness soon, like Ledley has done, is he going to make it through the whole season and to the euro's? Jones, Dawson, Cahill, Jagielka should be getting games rather than relying on players unlikely to make it anyway.
  
  Comparison from Soccerbase. Bare in mind that Man U have had 3 very successful seasons competing in multiple trophies each time including charity shields, champions league, league cup finals etc
  
  10/12 Ferdinand 6games , Lampard 9games also 2 for England, King 4games
  10/11 Ferdinand 29games also 3 for England, Lampard 32games also 4 for England, King 9games
  09/10 Ferdinand 21games also 5 for England, Lampard 51games also 11 for England, King 23games also 2 for England
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 41.[/h] At 19:47 4th Oct 2011, Liverpool_Analyst wrote: The problem England has is you're so quick to judge players after a few bad games. Your cricket team is doing well right now because of consistency in selection so to say form players should be picked is rubbish. You'll get into a situation where you have a new team every time England play. But I do agree, the likes of Gerrard(I say this with great sadness after everything he has done for Liverpool), Lampard, Rio should be let go off. Terry still has a few years but should also be starting to feature less. Continuity of player production is a problem and that's why you suddenly need a new team and there's a good new generation to pick from and grow for 2014.
  
  I'm South African and we watch the EPL over here and I think that league gives the English unrealistic expectation of the national team. You need more english players starring for the top 4 in the CL than you do now and that is why you've grown reliant on the old guard. Glad to see Lampard shutting people up though. Gerrard will do the same but I hope he retires from international football and focus on Liverpool.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 42.[/h] At 19:51 4th Oct 2011, shadow warrior wrote: I just dont see why everyone wants Terry, Ferdinand, Lamps and Probably Rooney, oh i forgot Rooney is only 24 just seems to have been around for lifetime. As we can see with Man U with all their youth, they make alot of mistakes and if against better opposition would have been punished more, as SAF after most games he is fuming with the over exuberance of the youth players. Phil Jones, yes a great potential, but if he made out of position forward runs against the bigger teams then it would be a disaster. Look at Arsenal, now with their youth system they are getting punished. I also remember Mclaren stripping Beckham of his captaincy, not sure how disrespectful you can get.
  
  A team to be a really good and balanced team will always need youth and energy and experience and wisdom on the pitch, the younger players need to be told what to do, its not just all about footballing ability and speed and skill.
  
  Just see how Lampard scored in the champions league and then on the weekend scored a hatrick, his first touch is supreme, his time on the ball is excellent his movement composure and balance is world class, but so many want a a player that has scored tons of goals from midfield thrown on the scrap heap.
  
  Get a life and get a grip on what football is about.
  
  And what about Scott Parker the weekend, absolutely essential for the win. But hang on he is 30 and wont be good in 3 years so why bother, total and utter BS i am afraid and its probably said by the fans who eat all the burgers before the match that write these things anyway.
  
  
  I could keep giving so many examples after examples, but if you dont like these players in our full national team then watch the under 21's.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 43.[/h] At 19:51 4th Oct 2011, Kapnag wrote: #40 what about the seasons prior to 2010, when Ferdinand was established as one of the top CB's in the world, how many times was King turning out for Spurs then? And he didn't even play in the world cup, picking up that knee injury beforehand. Probably wouldn't have conceded 4 to germany if he was playing
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 44.[/h] At 19:57 4th Oct 2011, georgiesthebest7 wrote: Phil - I think Rio knows that his 'time in the sun' is getting shorter and he knows his body is likely to let him down if it comes under too much strain. Capello has done SAF a favour by not picking Rio for England because whether or not he is back to full fitness, he is clearly someway short of the top class form he has shown previously and this enforced absence from International duty will give him some additional time to recover.
  As SAF has done with Giggs (and is likely to do with Rio) and AVB is likely to do with Lampard, I also suspect Capello would, up to and including the European Nations Tournament, want to use such as Rio, Lampard, Gerrard and even Terry (who is less secure with England than he is with Chelsea) for certain (pre-selected) games only. At the same time Capello will want to start to 'slot' in the new boys. However whether the demands on the England squad would allow for so many 'experienced' players, to be, as it were, 'held in reserve' is another matter? The players of the so called 'Golden Generation' have had their 'time in the sun' and now its time to move on and give others a chance!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 45.[/h] At 19:58 4th Oct 2011, adiosamigo wrote: I see many people complain about how leaky Man Utd's defence looks yet they're being praised by the media to be great. The reason United's defence looks leaky is because they don't have a settled back 4 since the start of the season, also Vidic's presence is sorely being missed and the main reason is the lack of cover midfield is providing for defence. There seems to be lot more space in the midfield of late than before. Once that is fixed people lets see how many people still bitch about United's defence.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 46.[/h] At 20:00 4th Oct 2011, sirHellsBells wrote: Ferdinand should go to the Euro's if he is one of the 4 best CB in the league at that time & thats why no one should be writing him off. I think he sometimes has lapses in concentration but seems like a player who never causes issues within the squad & has been a top defender for 10+ years. It would be a heck of a risk if we took 3 young defenders at CB but to be honest I would like to see us develope a side for World Cup in Brazil but Capello would be slaughtered if we bombed out early next year even if it was in the long term interests of the country.
  
  I still think it is in midfield where we have all the problems, we have never been bad at the back for a long time in tournaments (Germany in 2010 excluded) but getting enough ability & pace in the centre of the pitch will be key, maybe Jones could be the new Hargreaves, a busy player can break up play but also has the ability to move forward & pass.
  
  If both he & Wilshere were fit by around February I think it would be worth a go in a friendly. I am not sold on Parker or Barry against the top sides and you need legs against the Spain's & Germany's of this world. I think those teams are too far clear at this moment (Spain have a midfield of Xavi, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta, Mata, Thiago, Busquets etc) so lets plan ahead & give the younger players a chance in Euro 2012
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 47.[/h] At 20:03 4th Oct 2011, shadow warrior wrote: Anyway its not even news that Rio is not playing against Montenegro, its common sense, we have enough talent at the back to not evenneed him and therefore let him rest and spend more time preparing for the season and teach Smalling and Jones how to handle the big games....
  
  
  Fans expect to much, football brains no whats going on and the media just write dribble... and thats not the dribble we like to see in football, rather the dribble that comes out of a an elderly person mouth when asleep.
  Another pointless articule from the cheif head of football /
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 48.[/h] At 20:04 4th Oct 2011, coleusman wrote: PHIL
  
  Rio is currently rusty & no more. Ditto Gerrard.
  
  They & Lampard,Terry & Beckham should ALL be in the squad for Poland/Ukraine if we make the finals, PROVIDED all are fit & playing regularly.
  
  Of the new breed, McEarchan must be stuck out on loan to, say, QPR, for last 3 months of the season to be worth a place, Wilshere desperately needs to be playing by January to stand a chance & others like Jones,Smalling,Rodwell,Cleverley & co all need to stay fit & stay in the first team.
  
  Having said which, it's 2014 for which we need the new breed from the start of qualifying onward. And, around a year hence, all the old guard should be warmly applauded & retired.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 49.[/h] At 20:06 4th Oct 2011, Torquay400 wrote: If Ferdinand is picked for Man Utd in the big games he should be in the England team, if SAF goes with Jones and Smalling then he must miss out.
  Simple as that, age has nothing to do with it.
  England need to qualify before trying out youngsters just for the sake of it.
  I suppose when that happens we'll have everyone calling them meaningless friendlies.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 50.[/h] At 20:09 4th Oct 2011, shadow warrior wrote: Well thanks Moderators 😉
  
  Anyway @ 46 i think that's a very interesting suggestion to try and play Jones as a holdiing midfeilder in International games, i heard somewhere that he is a very decent midfeild players so why not give him a go their.
  
  I do think inn defence we have alot of options and Midfeild we are slightly ok, but we need some players to be on the top of the games to really make an impact, i hope we start seeing more of Adam Johnson.
  
  I think what we really lack is our attack, apart from Rooney we dont have to much else taht comes close to a world class Striker, lets hope Wellbeck comes good.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 51.[/h] At 20:09 4th Oct 2011, cliveeta wrote: Yet another blog about a temporary situation. Things change, teams and players lose form or excel.
  Rio is having a lean patch and after a couple of games on the bench he will get his hunger back.
  
  How can Capello be "notoriously single-minded," and random at the same time?
  He seems just random. Period.
  IMO he has little idea on his best line-up so far. He has chopped and changed probably with the hope that he might see some consolidation of a good team but his players have lacked consistency.
  Nine month out from naming his Euro squad we are still discussing, 1) who his right back should be, 2) which central defender partnerships work best 3) who should partner Rooney up front 4) what formation midfield would work.
  He doesnt know Walcott from Lennon from Johnson. He hasn't got faith in either Crouch, Bent or Heskey. And he has been messed about by longterm injuries, Gerrard Wilshire and G Johnson.
  
  England will qualify well, just like for S Africa but when we come up against the good teams.....what's the story Fabio?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 52.[/h] At 20:12 4th Oct 2011, shadow warrior wrote: @48-49
  
  Well said, i dont really think there is to much more to add really. It could be an interesting blog, but i have no idea why Phil has to have Rio as the headline.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 53.[/h] At 20:21 4th Oct 2011, 1878onwards wrote: The ideal scenario would be to leave Rio to further his club career a la Paul Scholes.
  The little great player extended his club career by waving ingerlund bye bye and benefitted by having a proper summer break that playing for your country curtails.
  Having said that...I would prefer that no Utd player waste's their time playing for the neanderthal's that inhabit our national stadium.
  Utd first..second..and always before ingerlund.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 54.[/h] At 20:22 4th Oct 2011, CoalitionOfTheWilting wrote: "Ferdinand, a hugely popular figure within Capello's squad"
  
  Presumably before he was seemingly leading the big Utd love-ins as far apart from their Liverpool teammates in the changing room as possible?
  
  And why is his tweet 'light-hearted'? Why could it not also be taken as slightly bitter and sarcastic?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 55.[/h] At 20:25 4th Oct 2011, shadow warrior wrote: @ 51
  
  Good comment, i think Fabio has no idea what would be his best starting 11, i think he reads the news and finds out who did well at the weekend and puts them in the squad.
  
  What England need is firstly a good sytem of how we want to play, then he needs to know his best starting 11. He cant just add Henderson because he now plays for Liverpool and was bought for so many Mil and Carrol because of his price. He needs to have stability in the tactics and choose the players that he thinks will fit into his system.
  
  If he doesnt do this then on the actual match day you will have a patched up team with no real idea of how to play together. You cant just put a team together on form and say play this way, its just all wrong. We need to have a system, take a look at Spain, they play a certain way, they have their brand of football, so do Germany and other teams ect. Its always a team that wins games and not just any one player.
  
  For me looking from the outside in this seems to be basic football, and i just cant understand why in England we create all these stupid problems for ourself. Yes the media adds pressure, but the Manager who is supposed to be top class can always make the media quiet if he has confidence in his own tactical ability, if we keep wining then the Media will be quiet.
  
  I am convinced that we have the talent in this country to be semi finalist at the minimum in the Euros and a good competitive side that will only lose to a very good team in the world cup and if we dont manage our players and create our own brand of football very quickly then England will always be a circus on the international stage.
  
  Sometimes we be hard on the players for not wanting to play for England, but i think that deep down they all do and its still the pinnacle of their careers, but the media and the fans make it almost impossible for them to play with heart and confidence and lets not forget, they dont need the money to play international football.
  
  So lets hope we just put in a good performance on Friday and play a nice system of football and we dont need everyone to put in a world class performance, we need to get used to playing a system of footall.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 56.[/h] At 20:26 4th Oct 2011, Tim Jevons wrote: If he does jack it in soon please, please don't commentate unless you do the coverage on the European satellite cards where it won't matter if no understands him.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 57.[/h] At 20:32 4th Oct 2011, red_optimism wrote: TO THE BBC
  
  How much was 606 costing the owners of the BBC? i.e. the general public
  
  How much do mcnulty and bond et al make?
  
  Can't you just sack bond and mcnulty this evening and bring back 606?
  
  Their blogs are tiresome and unimaginative - they should both work for the gutter red tops that print mostly fabricated gossip!!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 58.[/h] At 20:52 4th Oct 2011, bluenose wrote: Ferdinand could still get by in a lot of games with his experience and good organising skills however against the best he has been on the decline for a while.
  
  I would much rather see Barry axed than Ferdinand with him only being around the team as he is left footed imo, which is a joke as he plays central anyway. Capello still seems to not understand that keeping the ball and winning it back quickly is the way forward. I dont ever see the likes of Walcott or Lennon playing in a team that retains the ball with ease.
  
  There is talent there but surely its time for a English manager to get the best from them?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 59.[/h] At 20:54 4th Oct 2011, The_soul_patch_of_David_Villa wrote: I think it's probably time for Rio to try out with his local pub team. like John Terry, he's always been an overrated defender, who is lauded and acclaimed by the English media for his ''guts'', ''tenacity'' and ''bulldog spirit''. Notice how ''skill'', ''positioning'', ''clean tackling'' and ''technical ability'' are never used in a description of a ''good, old-fashioned English centre-half''?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 60.[/h] At 20:55 4th Oct 2011, stephenrpalmer wrote: Could be the best thing to happen to Rio. After years of taking selection for granted, he is faced with the challenge of getting back to his sharpest if he wants to play regularly for England or United again; a challenge I am quite sure he will relish. It looks like a similar situation has already had the desired effect on Frank Lampard at Chelsea.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 61.[/h] At 20:56 4th Oct 2011, cheeseisthedevilswork wrote: The best defensive tactic is simply to keep the ball. To do that you need all ten outfield players to be comfortable in possession. In the last match against Wales I was shocked by how poor John Terry's touch was. How can he be England captain, at football, when he's so uncomfortable with the ball at his feet? I'm not Rio's greatest fan but him and Cahill should be the central defensive partnership.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 62.[/h] At 20:58 4th Oct 2011, LondonsFinestClub wrote: I think Ferdinand is at the end of his England career and perhaps he should pack it in and concentrate on United as Scholes did. He doesn't have John Terry's positional sense and isn't a natural leader. He was inspirational because of his speed and footballing technique but his pace has been reduced by a series of injuries.
  Lampard may not be able to play every game as he once did but he still has incredible positional sense and ability plus he hasn't had a tenth of the injuries that Rio has had. Of course senior players have to make away eventually but as we have seen with Zanetti, Seedorf, Van Der Sar, Giggs and Drogba, you are good enough if you can still do the things others will take years to learn.
  I think Ferdinand still has a career with United albeit at a reduced level but I fear his England career is on the wane. Terry will remain an England player if he stays fit for another two seasons and then retire after The Euros.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 63.[/h] At 21:05 4th Oct 2011, Gavelaa wrote: He's nearly 33. He's coming to the end. The injuries have definitely shortened him. It's no biggie. Fergie, then Capello have already stripped him of his captaincy, while Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are both ready to replace him at both club and international level.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 64.[/h] At 21:11 4th Oct 2011, sirHellsBells wrote: Lets just hope whatever the FA decide to do after the Euro's we get a manager who will actually pick players on form & merit rather than who they play for. I am not knocking the Jones', Smallings' or Henderson's of the world but they wouldnt get near the first team at the moment if they played for Blackburn, Fulham or Sunderland yet they would still be the same players. Its like Ben Foster, go to Utd straight in the side leave & you are never going to be considered. The list goes on, if Welbeck was playing for Newcastle he wouldnt get in etc. We need to move away from that.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 65.[/h] At 21:20 4th Oct 2011, NedTheNoodler wrote: Rio Ferdinand is the only genuine world class centre half England have had for years but unfortunately the English public and media seem to love their "put your head where the don't sun don't shine" type players.
  Terry and Ferdinand remind me of Nesta and Canavarro in the sense that the general public love Terry and Canavarro for their all action style of play but in reality Nesta and Ferdinand are so good at defending that they rarely leave themselves in a situation where they have to throw themselves at the ball.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 66.[/h] At 21:27 4th Oct 2011, Ayo wrote: Another bias article. Phil talks as if it was only Rio that played in the match with Basle, and praises Jones to high heavens. Talk of Bolton shipping in goals, as if Cahill is the only defender in that team. Lets take every player based on individual performance. Capello knows that, that is why he picks them on individual recognition and not because their team is in first or last position in the PL. The press should not be seen to want to influence the manager's decision by singing praises of a player because they like them. I like the way Frank responded to your bias article about him in the last few weeks and i hope Rio answwers you the same way.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 67.[/h] At 21:29 4th Oct 2011, Gowsey wrote: Rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic
  Gossiping about Jones, Gerrard, Ferdinand et al is a complete distraction. I don't think people see the bigger picture.
  There's no point talking about getting ready for 2014 - ready for what - to struggle through to the quarter finals if we're lucky. The players coming through now have all been coached in old methods and it's too late for them. If you think that Danny Wellbeck is going to be world class you probably thought that about Andy Carroll too last year.
  I'm actually not blaming these players - they have been let down by poor coaching by the Football Association and a culture of physicality above skill.
  The next hope England have of winning anything is 2034 IF we get our act together now and completely change the way English youngsters are coached.
  Boycott England matches so the F.A have no doubt that the current situation is unacceptable. An Empty Wembley is a powerful message.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 68.[/h] At 21:44 4th Oct 2011, We all follow United wrote: I am not knocking the Jones', Smallings' or Henderson's of the world but they wouldnt get near the first team at the moment if they played for Blackburn, Fulham or Sunderland
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Is this the most non-sensical comment ever posted?!!!!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 69.[/h] At 21:46 4th Oct 2011, CSeiling wrote: @65
  
  It really is almost unfair that Nesta and Maldini were allowed to be in the same team. Honestly, if they had signed earlier and not gotten injured, then I think the same could have been said about Rio and Vidic.
  
  Regardless, United found two gems in Smalling and Jones and these two will make a ruthless pairing for the next decade. I really feel for Wenger on this one because he knew both Smalling and Jones were that talented, he tried to sign them, but then Ferguson swooped in and convinced them to move to United. Had Wenger signed them, things at Arsenal would look very different.
  
  Rio is a very talented defender, and I think Capello will make his decision based on big game selections (@49). We will just have to wait and see which of Ferdinand, Jones, and Smalling Ferguson chooses for big games.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 70.[/h] At 21:49 4th Oct 2011, Chizzle wrote: It does look like Rio's coming towards the end of his career at the top level, maybe a move to a smaller premier league club would be best for him at the end of this season - United will be wanting a regular back pair, and I'm guessing Taggart will be thinking about Vidic and Jones as his first choice. It's certainly going to be a tough few months ahead for Rio to get his form and fitness back to full throttle.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 71.[/h] At 21:50 4th Oct 2011, pezzerman wrote: Ferdinand will remain an integral part of the United squad for at least the next two seasons. Whether he plays for England or not is not the be-all and end-all of his career. He remains a class act and a great leader in the dressing room. I usually like to defend Phil but this topic of discussion is not really a story worth discussing. The fact he cant play every game like he used to is actually good for the development of united's younger defenders in evans,jones and smalling who will play more games learning off the stalwarts of vida and Rio. As Rio proclaimed when teamed up with Rooney in their pre-season Fifa tournament in the team hotel.....'We dont die!'
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 72.[/h] At 21:58 4th Oct 2011, starnesy wrote: Ferdinand has been quality for club and country, as has the likes of Gerrard, Lampard etc. However its time for a new generation to be blooded for their country. Very few younger players have had a look in over the last few years and if we're to stand any chance at all in future major tourney's we have to pick teams now with an eye on the future.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 73.[/h] At 22:17 4th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: I think Ferdinand was a quality defender and could definitely still do a job for both club and country but, like most people on here have said, we need to start building for the future. His positional play is quality and is a real "footballing" defender. has a good touch, calm on the ball and resolute in the air, all these things could make him an excellent player to have around the fringes of the squads to really help the youngsters.
  
  I think the Euro 2012 team needs to be have a lot of decent youngsters with the experience of the likes of Terry, Gerrard and Ferdinand around to help them out. i don't think these guys need to be breathing downthe necks of the youngsters though. We need to try and get a fairly settled side together and juat draw on the experiences of "the golden generation" to help us through the tournament.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 74.[/h] At 22:21 4th Oct 2011, coreynz wrote: This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 75.[/h] At 22:30 4th Oct 2011, ManchesterUnited4Ever wrote: I think 2012 (if he makes it fitness wise) will probably be Rio's last international tournament. If he goes should depend entirely on whether he is able to shake of these niggling injuries and get a run of games (he needs that to get back to his best).
  The good news is based on his tweet then hopefully he will take it gracefully both for England and Manchester United. Afterall let's say he gets back to form for United playing alonside Jones and then Jones and Terry become the 1st choice pick (not saying this will happen just an example). Hopefully he won't be the kind of player to kick his toys out of the pram and will accept being behind them in the pecking order for club and country. Especially for club as maybe Jones could be first choice next year if he develops well but that experience as back up just in case would be excellent.
  
  P.S. did I see JDR back? Come to give Phil some of what you gave to Robbo?
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 76.[/h] At 22:51 4th Oct 2011, TheTomTyke wrote: I agree with everybody saying get rid of Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard and Gerrard. It's time to move on.
  
  
  Complain about this comment (Comment number 76)
  
• [h=4]Comment number 77.[/h] At 22:57 4th Oct 2011, RogerMU wrote: Ferdinand needs to play his way back into both the MU and England sides, but with careful management of his fitness he has the potential to do both.
  
  That said the future England defence should probably include Walker and Jones. Jones has been stretched recently, but for some reason United are playing him on the wrong side to keep Ferdinand in position, whereas they play Vidic out of position to accommodate Evans. United's defence has looked good when they have had their first choice players available - Vidic, Smalling and Rafael would be a big loss for any team, particularly with inexperienced EPL goalkeepers.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 78.[/h] At 22:58 4th Oct 2011, RogerMU wrote: England need to move on before 2014, but the Terry replacement is not as obvious yet.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 79.[/h] At 23:16 4th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: Why do we always talk about picking like-for-like replacements??!! i don't want someone to come in and be the same as Ferdinand, or terry or Gerrard...I want them to learn things from these players but have their own identities, be the player they want to be.
  
  Lets be honest, the "golden Generation" have done nothing...never won anything or excelled in any tournament. so why do we want someone to stand out as a replacemnt for ferdinand. and a different player to be the replacement for Terry? why can't it just be that (possibly in the future) Phil Jones is the best centre back in England so he's picked, Chris smalling has an exceptional understandning with him so he's picked, Martin Kelly is the best RB so he's picked etc.....
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 80.[/h] At 23:33 4th Oct 2011, Guy Hardrock wrote: #16: The word "defense", though it may look like a mistake to us, is completely proper International (meaning American) English. We've given our name to the language, and we still shape it to a large degree, but American spelling and usage can't really be called 'incorrect' these days; they outnumber us 300,000,000 to 60,000,000 (5 to 1), and America is a nonstop propaganda machine... promoting their own 'culture', including its peculiar spelling rules...
  
  "They're - Their - There" ???
  
  Well, that truly is ignorance and poor education at work. (The GOOD news is that message boards like these provide an excellent opportunity to practice, for millions who might otherwise never "write" a single word...)
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 81.[/h] At 23:33 4th Oct 2011, northbank123 wrote: Can only be positive that Capello isn't making players automatic selections based on reputation and previous form (although not a brave decision given Rio isn't playing regularly for United).
  
  On another note... "Frank Lampard is already demonstrating the folly of writing off players who have achieved great things for their club in the past". Pretty sure Phil has had many scathing comments about Lampard's international career being dead during and after the last international break. Fickle.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 82.[/h] At 00:02 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: @ 80
  
  It may be international English, but on a British website the spelling is wrong!
  
  It's Defence!
  
  the Americans can spell it however they like on their sites, on ours please spell it correctly!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 83.[/h] At 00:05 5th Oct 2011, SuffolkJason wrote: I'd like to see this attacking team given a run out:
  
  Hart
  
  Kyle Walker Jones Smalling Cole
  
  Wilshere
  
  Adam Johnson Ashley Young
  
  Cleverley
  
  Rooney
  
  Wellbeck
  
  
  Midfield diamond, Wilshere holding! Cleverley attacking. Rooney free role, behind Wellbeck, a la Messi.
  
  We could out-Spain, Spain in the way that I believe that SAF will try to out-Barca, Barca. It might be too adventurous but got to be better than Barry and Milner! To beat Spain and other world class sides you need to have players that play on their toes, and can control and pass instantly and will work just as hard without the ball.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 84.[/h] At 00:38 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: @ 83
  
  that wouldn't work at all!!! Cleverly attacking and rooney playing behind Welbeck would just get in each others way. Wilshere isn;t good enough defensively to play the holding role on his own as he wouldn't get any support from AJ or AY.
  
  Also, cleverley isn't good enough technically to pay that attacking role without someone alongside him!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 85.[/h] At 01:15 5th Oct 2011, Sams Town wrote: Ferdinand wasn't just good at his peak he was a brilliant defender, at the 2002 World Cup he was unbeatable and kept the winners Brazil underwraps.
  
  Best English defender for 20 years best Manchester United England international since Bobby Charlton.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 86.[/h] At 01:25 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: @ 85
  
  not sure he is the best English defender for 20 years, he was very good but i would say there are a few who were better. Think he was 'different' to some, but maybe not better.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 87.[/h] At 01:50 5th Oct 2011, Gooner wrote: What's the issue? He's 32. Been out forever it seems with injury. There's no story here.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 88.[/h] At 01:51 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: I guess as a gooner you should just be glad the blog isn't about your team hey? 😉
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 89.[/h] At 02:14 5th Oct 2011, wtfb wrote: Ferdinand will only be picked to go to the 2012 finals if he is fit and playing well. Based on the last 18 months it is unlikely that he will meet even one of these criteria.
  
  However, I think we can't doubt his stamina after thirteen years of playing away.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 90.[/h] At 02:15 5th Oct 2011, wtfb wrote: I'm amused that Capello took the captaincy away from John Terry for a quick fling with someone's ex girlfriend (aren't most single women someone's ex girlfriend?) and Capello gave it to someone who reportedly had been two timing his wife for 13 years. Great judgement! I wonder how he picks the team. By seniorty possibly? 13 years of infidelity must be hard to beat.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 91.[/h] At 02:17 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: @ wftb
  
  i think you should change your username to WUM 😉
  
  
  Complain about this comment (Comment number 91)
  
• [h=4]Comment number 92.[/h] At 02:45 5th Oct 2011, Fernando is faster than me wrote: 11 @ dogeared wrote:
  
  Every player has to be picked on their performances, and that is why both Ferdinand and Lampard should never play for England again.
  Terry and Gerard still have plenty to give.
  
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Can anything be more contradictory..??
  You suggest that players should be picked on their performances (which I agree with) and then wants Lampard (returning to form in style) out and Gerrard (didn't play for 6 months) in.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 93.[/h] At 03:50 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: I have just re-read the headline to this blog and got me thinking....shouldn't this be the case for EVERY player?! Surely they should have to fight every training session, every game, every photoshoot to be the very best?
  
  there should be no player in the world that doesn't have to fight to perform every week!
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 94.[/h] At 05:06 5th Oct 2011, Dont call my name Dont call my name Chicharitoooo wrote: why is there a blog on this? He will most likely make the next england squad along with Lampard et al despite the calls for youth. Complete non-story.
  
  Definatly looking forward to the 'New look England' or 'Frustrated England' blog in a few days....
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 95.[/h] At 05:10 5th Oct 2011, OldWoodman wrote: Its time to move on. Ferdinand is injury prone,he isn't going to get any better and his off-field antics are 'dubious' shall we say. Nothing against him,good player in his day but his day has been and gone.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 96.[/h] At 05:15 5th Oct 2011, sheppeyred wrote: @ wtfb
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  What has Rio`s private life got to do with it? He`s alresdy lost the captaincy (back to Terry.) So what`s the problem?
  I suggest sir, that you are trying to be sarcastic....................... EPIC FAIL!!!!
  
  
  Complain about this comment (Comment number 96)
  
• [h=4]Comment number 97.[/h] At 05:55 5th Oct 2011, johnsfca wrote: I thought this was all decided the old guys have to be phased out to make room for the new generation of players. Lampard,Ferdinand and co are the past not the future. We have to start preparing for the next world cup now. Some of these guys can still play but the point is they will be too old for the next wc. Young talented players need the international experience so they'll be ready when all these dinosaurs retire.
  
  
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• [h=4]Comment number 98.[/h] At 06:17 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: @ 97
  
  I think there is still a place in the squad for these guys but agree they need to be phased out. i think this will naturally happen though because at their age they are going to struggle to keep playing 3 games in a week. The exception may be Gerrard this year because of Liverpool not being involved with europe so he may be well rested and be able to perform at the top level.
  
  i think Lampard, Ferdinand, Terry etc. are getting very close to being left out completely but i still think they need to be involved in some capacity to bring their experience in to the squad and help the youngsters out.
  
  Would be good to maybe see Ferdinand in a kind of player liason role next year maybe?
  
  
  Complain about this comment (Comment number 98)
  
• [h=4]Comment number 99.[/h] At 07:11 5th Oct 2011, HAHA CharadeYouAre wrote: One Word;
  
  
  YAWN
  
  
  Complain about this comment (Comment number 99)
  
• [h=4]Comment number 100.[/h] At 07:18 5th Oct 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote: @ 99
  
  why come on here then?! why coment? Why waste your time?
  
  I think the only word on your comment is.....YAWN!
  
  
  Complain about this comment (Comment number 100)
  

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