Writer: Rug 
Date:Wednesday June 27 2012
Time: 4:48PM
Prior to Euro 2012 there was such a carry on about Rio Ferdinand's non-selection for the squad yet the inclusion of John Terry.
Ok, perhaps you can argue that Roy Hodgson did not help matters by saying that his selection was 'purely based on footballing matters', which came back to bite him in the backside the more players were forced out!
Quite clearly it was not entirely football related, the selection of both Ferdinand and Terry was NEVER going to work as there was too much friction between the pair due to the ongoing racial case against Terry and Rio's brother. You can argue that Terry should not have been included due to this, but whilst the footage seen seems pretty damning we do live in an 'innocent until proven guilty' world, right?
Far too much friction would have been among the squad had both been selected, and we saw what friction did to the England squad in South Africa in 2010, evidently there was a big divide in the squad.
Lets get back to the 'footballing matters' thoughts, lets face it Ferdinand had rarely played for England in the past 2-3-years so why is was it such a shock that the Man United man was left out anyway?
He has a history of injuries in recent years, perhaps he might have played more games in the 2011/12 season than he had in some time but when all is said and done the guy did not exactly set the world alight with his performances, and even United fans admit this...
Ferdinand talked about a lack of 'respect' shown to him by him not being selected but he, and his camp, also showed a lack of respect towards Hodgson and England with some of their thoughts really.
I am in no way a fan of Terry, I do not like the guy but his selection by Hodgson for the final 23-man squad was a selection made by him with footballing ability in mind and despite a somewhat iffy season at times he was among the best defenders available and is a player that always had, and always will, put a boot, or head, in when needed.
His lack of pace was seriously highlighted during the finals at times but has pace ever really been one of Terry's major assets?
Yep, I maintain my thoughts that the guy was rightly selected, footballing wise, and his selection was fully justified with some decent performances with arguably his performance coming against the Italians when he threw his body in front of everything making some vital blocks, as he had other games, to keep us in it.
I reckon, regardless of the outcome of his trial shortly, his England days are going to be over shortly, or at least seriously limited, but for his footballing ability shown I think he can walk away from The Three Lions with his head held high.
A selection that was definitely justified...
Agree or disagree, lets have some views on this guys with some comments here, and/or in the forum.
Vital England on:
Vital England on:
McManaman Ruled Out (Saturday May 18 2013)
Captain Cole? (Saturday May 18 2013)
Dream Come True For McCarthy (Saturday May 18 2013)
Pearce On His Squad (Saturday May 18 2013)
England squad announced. (Thursday May 16 2013)
ITV Secure England Games (Thursday May 16 2013)
Another Young Coach Earmarked (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Ferdinand (Finally) Calls Time On England (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Euro U21 Championship Squad Named (Tuesday May 14 2013)
Wilshere To Miss England Friendlies (Tuesday May 14 2013)
| 1. | jiltedjock | 203 |
| 2. | garyshawisthelaw | 193 |
| 3. | chalkytheumbrella | 188 |
| 4. | alfinyalcabo | 112 |
| 5. | charliebrowns | 92 |
| 6. | MrWashyWashy | 54 |
| 7. | Rug | 44 |
| 8. | Trac3r | 27 |
| 9. | oi.you.there | 18 |
| 10. | Acido Tyke | 17 |
| McManaman Ruled Out
» England : 18/05/2013 14:05:00
|
| Captain Cole?
» England : 18/05/2013 11:22:00
|
| Dream Come True For McCarthy
» England : 18/05/2013 10:43:00
|
| Pearce On His Squad
» England : 18/05/2013 10:15:00
|
| England squad announced.
» England : 16/05/2013 16:29:00
|
| ITV Secure England Games
» England : 16/05/2013 09:35:00
|
| Another Young Coach Earmarked
» England : 15/05/2013 17:57:00
|