BoyBrumby
Englishman
Why do you think a succession of England managers haven't? Serious question.
TBF Kuyt's goal on Wednesday was classic Rio, which is why I've never especially rated him as a pure defender (obviously the whole "Peckham playboy" schtick is pretty tiresome too) and he's benefitted from playing alongside players who are more traditional "stoppers" than he is for club and country in Vidic and Terry. Both have the turning circles of a supertanker, but such is their anticipation and positioning they only rarely get exposed.Personally I reckon the "Ferdinand loses concentration a lot" idea is a few years old - yeah he can have his lapses like any defender, but I think because he used to have quite a rep for it any mistake he makes now is Rio "losing concentration again" when IMO he's more solid and consistent than most these days. The fact that he's quite a smooth player as opposed a typical English bulldog type like Carragher probably adds to that perception too I think.
As for why he's preferred, it's precisely because of his qualities that few centre-backs have to such an extent: pace and distribution (although, in the case of the latter, if we play Barry or Carrick it becomes much less of a virtue). What was interesting is that just before the 2006 WC Sven preferred Sol to Rio in a competitive game for about the first time (versus Austria IIRC) but the big fella was then injured for the second half of the double-header (against Poland, I think) and the chance to grasp the nettle was lost when Sol went into mental meltdown thereafter.
Hughes severely overrating Lescott, IMHO. I reckon Moyes is just taking the piss to see what he can get for him now. Aside from a few more goal, there's nothing about him asa defender to put him above Upson and, from what I've heard, yer Irons are keen to do business.Dunne+Ben Haim just isn't happening, maybe one but definitely not both. For one, there's no way Everton can pay Ben Haim's wage (60+/w) and Dunne has ruled out a move today and Hughes loves him. All sources coming out of the club say it's bull**** as well.
Can see us walking from this deal and bringing in Upson after the Barca game on Wednesday and before the Wolves game.