Rio Ferdinand...

Bilbo · 2nd May 2008, 09:18

This might turn out to be the peak season of Rio's career. Head and shoulders the best centre-back around this season.

Lynott · 2nd May 2008, 10:51

I'm a massive critic of his but he has been absolutely brilliant this season. He has improved 10 fold. I think the stability of playing next to Vidic has helped.

A sign of a world class defender is if he improves his partner. The times Brown, a very clumsy and head-shot defender at times, has played along side Rio he has been excellent, calm and controlled (except when nearly concussing VDS the other night).

I hope this is not a jinx for the next three games.

CnutOfAllCnuts · 2nd May 2008, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynott

I'm a massive critic of his but he has been absolutely brilliant this season. He has improved 10 fold.

He hasn't really. He's basically just continued his good form from the last few seasons.

ronnie dazzler · 2nd May 2008, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by crappycraperson

Cannavaro for Juve and Italy was up there. Nesta's still go it, but Rio has surpassed him for me. Before this season I would have gone with Nesta, not anymore.

only thing that pisse me off when we signed Rio was that for the 30m we could have bought Nesta and Cannavaro. But, has been top class this season. But then I've been impressed with all our back 4 this season

brophs · 2nd May 2008, 15:11

Brilliant defender, best in the world, at the moment. But the best ever? Not a chance, although you may not have seen any or all of them, you're are doing a great disservice to the likes of Maldini, Baresi, Bobby Moore etc. He may one day be considered to be one of the best, but he needs to keep doing his stuff for many years yet for that to be the case.

Giggsy PO · 2nd May 2008, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by brophs

Brilliant defender, best in the world, at the moment. But the best ever? Not a chance, although you may not have seen any or all of them, you're are doing a great disservice to the likes of Maldini, Baresi, Bobby Moore etc. He may one day be considered to be one of the best, but he needs to keep doing his stuff for many years yet for that to be the case.

To be fair he is already 6 seasons at United and in every of it he was pure brilliance.

brophs · 2nd May 2008, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giggsy PO

To be fair he is already 6 seasons at United and in every of it he was pure brilliance.

He has had some seasons better than others to be fair. His concentration issues seem to have been eradicated the last couple/few seasons, and with it, the only weakness he seemed to have in his game. People talk about him not attacking the ball, but in both the games against Chelsea and Barca, he was doing that as well as anybody, he just has a different style to some other defenders.

But as to your original point, 6 seasons isn't enough to be considered the greatest ever, especially when those players I have mentioned managed to sustain their form thoughout their career, for the most part. If he keeps up his form for the remainder of his new contract, I cannot see how people could dispute his right to be included alongside the names I have mentioned, and others.

Giggsy PO · 2nd May 2008, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by brophs

He has had some seasons better than others to be fair. His concentration issues seem to have been eradicated the last couple/few seasons, and with it, the only weakness he seemed to have in his game. People talk about him not attacking the ball, but in both the games against Chelsea and Barca, he was doing that as well as anybody, he just has a different style to some other defenders.

But as to your original point, 6 seasons isn't enough to be considered the greatest ever, especially when those players I have mentioned managed to sustain their form thoughout their career, for the most part. If he keeps up his form for the remainder of his new contract, I cannot see how people could dispute his right to be included alongside the names I have mentioned, and others.

Yeah with the names you mentioned Rio is a little bit behind. But the origin idea was that he is the best defender of his generation and probably the best defender United ever had.

KingEric7 · 2nd May 2008, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold_Boy

Ok.

So what about Ronaldo?

Rio has as much of a say as Ronaldo in regards to that sort of tag. At this moment in time, Ferdinand is by far the best centre back in the world and Carvalho is probably next in line.

The common misconception here is that nobody considers centre backs when this sort of debate arises. Ferdinand is as complete as any player in world football.

Makki · 2nd May 2008, 15:37

I'll probably get slaughtered for this, but to me Rio is more captain material than Gaz. As much as Gaz is the personification of United and that there's nobody that loves United more than he does, Rio is more of a leader on the pitch in my eyes.

UnofficialDevil · 2nd May 2008, 17:24

Rio is the world's current best defender.
Canavaro has been of form for a couple of years now.Nesta will always be a top player.

Other great defenders

Ayala (in the past)
samuel (in the past)
Stam (in the past)
Maldini (in the past)
Lucio
Vidic

I know we all hate him, but I rate Terry quite a bit too, I think he is a top defender.

Makki · 2nd May 2008, 17:24

Tbf, Carvalho is way better than Terry.

Dippersripper · 2nd May 2008, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingEric7

Rio has as much of a say as Ronaldo in regards to that sort of tag. At this moment in time, Ferdinand is by far the best centre back in the world and Carvalho is probably next in line.

The common misconception here is that nobody considers centre backs when this sort of debate arises. Ferdinand is as complete as any player in world football.

Excellent post. Its a bit like the Zidane - Maldini situation for me. Nobody would agree that Maldini is the best player of the last two decades. Yet, Maldini is an automatic choice in most all-time elevens and Zidane is not.

Dippersripper · 29th August 2008, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanchelskis14

Agree, it pissed me off when Terry used to get more recognition, and people even wanted Rio out of the national team. It's a pity he could not go to the Euro's this summer and take his place amongst the best defenders around, as England captain.

He still does, unfortunately. I can understand fans overrating Terry, but why did the managers(even the continental ones) choose him ahead of a classy defender like Rio?

Castolo · 29th August 2008, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippersripper

He still does, unfortunately. I can understand fans overrating Terry, but why did the managers(even the continental ones) choose him ahead of a classy defender like Rio?

I guess they get all caught up in the 'Brave English Lion' propaganda that surrounds Terry. Aparently in Spain everyone loves him because of his 'comitment and passion.'

Spoonatov · 29th August 2008, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castolo

I guess they get all caught up in the 'Brave English Lion' propaganda that surrounds Terry. Aparently in Spain everyone loves him because of his 'comitment and passion.'

He's getting sympathy votes. Big man.

Bilbo · 29th August 2008, 16:21

Its odd, this John Terry thing.

He's our Int'l captain, English through and through. Displays all the grit and determination things that we love to see in our sportsmen. We should all, if not love, at least respect him a lot.

Truth is, I think he's a cunt of the highest order, and so does everybody else I know. Except for Chelsea fans, or foreigners that vote for awards winners.

Like I say, odd.

Xander45 · 29th August 2008, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoonov

He's getting sympathy votes. Big man.

Big Man, Lionheart, England's Brave, all words used to cover up the almost blindingly obvious truth. He has a small penis.

allegedly

Spoonatov · 29th August 2008, 16:25

I loved the way he fell to his knees and started crying his eyes out. . . It's not as if Chelsea had lost the damn thing. Now that was odd.

Simon Adebesi · 29th August 2008, 16:50

Racist twat.

Maybe that is what they like about him.

Dippersripper · 29th August 2008, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Adebesi

Racist twat.

Maybe that is what they like about him.

probably

Xander45 · 29th August 2008, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Adebesi

Racist twat.

Maybe that is what they like about him.

Spanish panel of judges was it?

Chorley1974 · 29th August 2008, 17:39

Rio is best defender in the world. Best player in the world is a whole new debate.

Castolo · 29th August 2008, 22:43

Had one of his worst games in a long time tonight, strange to see him play that badly. Was done up like a kipper by Danny.

DanNistelrooy · 29th August 2008, 22:53

As long as he saves those performances for games like that and keeps performing vs the likes of Liverpool and Barca then i'll be delighted

anything about now · 30th August 2008, 05:33

He was brilliant in keeping Messi, Eto'o and Henry quiet. But gets turned by some cunt who doesn't even make his country's NT. Odd.

Think he will play a blinder against the dippers now.

fredthered · 30th August 2008, 05:49

Best Centre back in the premiership by a long shot. Candidate for best in Europe.

Still a wobbly gobbed tosser, but a fucking good player..

2nd May 2008, 09:18	#41 (permalink)
Bilbo First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,777	This might turn out to be the peak season of Rio's career. Head and shoulders the best centre-back around this season.

2nd May 2008, 10:51	#42 (permalink)
Lynott Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Corkonian in the UK Posts: 2,489	I'm a massive critic of his but he has been absolutely brilliant this season. He has improved 10 fold. I think the stability of playing next to Vidic has helped. A sign of a world class defender is if he improves his partner. The times Brown, a very clumsy and head-shot defender at times, has played along side Rio he has been excellent, calm and controlled (except when nearly concussing VDS the other night). I hope this is not a jinx for the next three games.

2nd May 2008, 15:11	#45 (permalink)
brophs Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dublin. Posts: 4,552	Brilliant defender, best in the world, at the moment. But the best ever? Not a chance, although you may not have seen any or all of them, you're are doing a great disservice to the likes of Maldini, Baresi, Bobby Moore etc. He may one day be considered to be one of the best, but he needs to keep doing his stuff for many years yet for that to be the case.

2nd May 2008, 15:37	#50 (permalink)
Makki Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,093	I'll probably get slaughtered for this, but to me Rio is more captain material than Gaz. As much as Gaz is the personification of United and that there's nobody that loves United more than he does, Rio is more of a leader on the pitch in my eyes.

2nd May 2008, 17:24	#51 (permalink)
UnofficialDevil Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Love United. Posts: 2,001	Rio is the world's current best defender. Canavaro has been of form for a couple of years now.Nesta will always be a top player. Other great defenders Ayala (in the past) samuel (in the past) Stam (in the past) Maldini (in the past) Lucio Vidic I know we all hate him, but I rate Terry quite a bit too, I think he is a top defender.

2nd May 2008, 17:24	#52 (permalink)
Makki Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,093	Tbf, Carvalho is way better than Terry.

29th August 2008, 16:21	#57 (permalink)
Bilbo First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,777	Its odd, this John Terry thing. He's our Int'l captain, English through and through. Displays all the grit and determination things that we love to see in our sportsmen. We should all, if not love, at least respect him a lot. Truth is, I think he's a cunt of the highest order, and so does everybody else I know. Except for Chelsea fans, or foreigners that vote for awards winners. Like I say, odd.

29th August 2008, 16:25	#59 (permalink)
Spoonatov El Presidente - Voted best poster 2007 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Number 17. (Laura's got a cellulite arse). RIP Jermaine Stewart. Posts: 27,947	I loved the way he fell to his knees and started crying his eyes out. . . It's not as if Chelsea had lost the damn thing. Now that was odd.

29th August 2008, 16:50	#60 (permalink)
Simon Adebesi Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanctity, like a cat, abhors filth. Posts: 2,560	Racist twat. Maybe that is what they like about him.

29th August 2008, 17:39	#63 (permalink)
Chorley1974 Lady Ole Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,207	Rio is best defender in the world. Best player in the world is a whole new debate.

29th August 2008, 22:43	#64 (permalink)
Castolo Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,177	Had one of his worst games in a long time tonight, strange to see him play that badly. Was done up like a kipper by Danny.

29th August 2008, 22:53	#65 (permalink)
DanNistelrooy First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,761	As long as he saves those performances for games like that and keeps performing vs the likes of Liverpool and Barca then i'll be delighted

30th August 2008, 05:33	#66 (permalink)
anything about now MUFC lad living in a matriel world Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The captain, the heart and soul of Chelsea Football Club, with one kick of the ball to give them the trophy.... Ohh he's missed it! Posts: 2,810	He was brilliant in keeping Messi, Eto'o and Henry quiet. But gets turned by some cunt who doesn't even make his country's NT. Odd. Think he will play a blinder against the dippers now.

30th August 2008, 05:49	#67 (permalink)
fredthered I want Peter Kenyon back Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 14,491	Best Centre back in the premiership by a long shot. Candidate for best in Europe. Still a wobbly gobbed tosser, but a fucking good player..