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JT Named England Captain

DavidEU

By DavidEU,
in Football Banter

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terry26

terry26 6

Posted
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:D :D :D :D :D :D

Broader appeal should give Rio Ferdinand nod over John Terry as England captain

Born into a mixed-race family, Manchester United's ex-West Ham defender unites north and south, black and white in Fabio Capello's squad. Before Capello informs Ferdinand and John Terry who will be England captain today, the coach must take into account Ferdinand's broader appeal in a dressing room packed with disparate characters.

Only now is Capello beginning to appreciate how seriously the English take the armband. In his native Italy, the honour is handed to the most-capped player starting. In the England dressing room, where confidence is brittle, where club affiliations lurk, the armband needs to belong to the individual most likely to fuse all factions together.

Terry is a good leader, an old-school, sleeves-rolled warrior-type, and Capello has been impressed with the way the Chelsea captain has fought back from the heartache of that missed penalty in Moscow. Naturally vocal and combative, Terry does not need the armband to bring out his leadership qualities but the captaincy will make Ferdinand an even better player. It seems to accentuate his concentration levels.

For sound footballing reasons, Ferdinand would be the more logical choice but as the players headed to their rooms at The Grove last night, following training for tomorrow's Wembley friendly with the Czech Republic, none of them knew Capello's intentions. Only his No 2, Franco Baldini, was privy to the coach's thoughts.

Having upset Terry with the rather casual way he announced Ferdinand as temporary captain for last season's French friendly, revealing the decision in a team meeting, Capello is determined to do it more sensitively this lunch-time. He must ensure the loser is fully committed to the captain. England's coach must also be careful that if he names a vice-captain as well that he has forewarned Steven Gerrard, still the holder of that title.

"A captain you need more in the bad times than in the good, someone who steps forward and takes responsibility,'' observed Joe Cole yesterday before expanding on Ferdinand and Terry, two players he knows well. "Both are very similar. They have the attributes of being well respected by the team, top internationals at the peak of their game, experienced, vocal in the dressing room, and both lead by example.''

Seasoned Ferdinand observers detected a new air of authority about the player around the England hotel yesterday. It might have been the legacy of last season's double. It might have been because Ferdinand was speaking at an FA/Government anti-knife crime initiative and the Londoner invariably impresses at such events.

A passionate supporter of the Damilola Taylor Trust, the Peckham-born Ferdinand yesterday recalled the murder of Stephen Lawrence. "I went to the same school as Stephen and I'll never forget when the headmaster brought the school to a halt and said he had been killed,'' Ferdinand said. "There was a sombre and chilling atmosphere.

"One day the guy was enjoying life and talking about his A-levels and the next day he was gone. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the past maybe there wasn't a strong enough deterrent for carrying knives. If you go to prison now, it will be a step in the right direction.''

Even with a reputation for highly significant community work, Ferdinand's role model status is still questioned by some supporters. If Capello polled members of the FA's official englandfans club, he would find mixed views.

Ferdinand appeared the most popular choice in the FA's online debate, though he attracted a few comments of "don't think he is a good role model for kids''. Kicking a female steward at Chelsea last season was mentioned.

Terry was criticised for "being first on the scene in the ref's face when a decision goes the other way'' and being a "poor role model''. People have not forgotten Terry's arrogant decision to park in a handicapped bay outside a pizza restaurant last season.

In a desire for role models, some England fans campaigned for Gareth Barry as captain. "He's not a 'superstar' like other players and we always play better when it's Gerrard and Barry together,'' argued one supporter. "At least we'll have a captain you can understand in the after-match interview.''

That is harsh on the increasingly eloquent Ferdinand, who hopes to give plenty of interviews today – as captain.

anyone for a laugh ??? :lol: :lol:

Edited by terry26
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Kez

Kez 2,727

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Haha I should say that to Rio & Gerrard and anyone else who thought they even had a chance.

I can enjoy the match on wednesday now.

Some arsehole on sky sports said JT would be a back up centre back if he was England manager, yeah and where would that get us?

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Kez

Kez 2,727

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I think it's just rubbing it in the fact he's been given it twice.

It's like JT is the captain then a new manager comes along. Who should be the new captain Gerrard Rio...?

Ermm no sorry JT is the captain :D

Edited by Kez
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.Cee

.Cee 50

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For sound footballing reasons, Ferdinand would be the more logical choice but as the players headed to their rooms at The Grove last night, following training for tomorrow's Wembley friendly with the Czech Republic, none of them knew Capello's intentions. Only his No 2, Franco Baldini, was privy to the coach's thoughts.

Funny whoever wrote that wrote 'for sound footballing reasons' and then didn't give any good ones at all. :rolleyes:

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terry26

terry26 6

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Some arsehole on sky sports said JT would be a back up centre back if he was England manager, yeah and where would that get us?

thats prob the reason he isn't england manager now isn't it ;)

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BlueLion.

BlueLion. 21,491

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I think ultimately it was JT's sign of commitment, pride and loyalty to the cause following the Champions League final, coupled with Rio's outburst at Stamford Bridge in April where he assaulted a female steward, that earned Terry the armband. In my head I can hear Scolari's words - "Very good choice!"

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