http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/qpr-boss-harry-redknapp-compares-4301241 " "The former Manchester United centre-back's contribution against Stoke would look better in a Premier League edition of his infamous World Cup wind-ups please log in to view this image No fun: Rio Ferdinand is just like Franz Beckenbauer - according to Harry Rio Ferdinand will want to include Harry Redknapp comparing him to Franz Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore in his next autobiography. But his defensive contributions against Stoke would look better in a Premier League edition of his infamous World Cup wind-ups – with the practical jokes filmed in the QPR box. The former Manchester United centre-back could point to Peter Crouch climbing up his back before Stoke’s opening goal by Mame Diouf. Yet the former England star had no excuse for the day-dreaming which allowed his old international team-mate Crouch to lash home the second from another fine Victor Moses cross. It was a symptomatic of a careless display from a player once good enough to be in FIFA’s team of the 2002 World Cup. Now, badly exposed in a flat back four containing two attacking full-backs, he looked like a 35-year-old in a young man’s game. please log in to view this image Biggest fan: Harry Redknapp has refused to criticise Rio Ferdinand Crouch even burned him for pace at one point. It was almost sad to see. “Rio’s fine – I have got no problems with Rio,” insisted his old West Ham boss Harry Redknapp, who gave Ferdinand a one-year contract in the summer . “When he takes his time, people want him to kick it. He ain’t never going to boot it up the pitch. "He plays, he’s a footballer. You wouldn’t see Franz Beckenbauer or Bobby Moore boot it up the field, they would like to play. “He’s looking for people to come and take the ball where he can play it to them. "That’s what I encouraged him to do when he was 14 so I am not going to change now.” But it is in defence that it is the problem, with QPR leaking 11 goals in their first five games. Redknapp has temporarily abandoned the insurance of three centre-backs – and Stephen Caulker struggled manfully playing the Nemanja Vidic role alongside Ferdinand against Stoke’s fluent counter-attacks. The ex-Spurs centre-half, whose header went in off Crouch for the first equaliser, certainly appeared to be the defensive leader and even dished out a rollocking to Ferdinand at one point. “He’s vocal and he will attack the ball because he’s stronger in the air than Rio,” added Redknapp. “But I just feel at the moment we are open because we have got two wing backs-playing at full-back or wingers almost. “We just need to tighten up when everyone’s fit and make ourselves more solid, especially away from home.” And Niko Kranjcar, who curled in the 88th-minute equaliser, insisted: “Rio brings character and experience. please log in to view this image Glory days: Rio Ferdinand in action for Manchester United "Everyone knows he’s a leader on and off the pitch.” Redknapp has now signed the Croatian four times and the QPR boss did not rule out a January move for his former Portsmouth and Spurs striker Crouch after making an enquiry in summer. “You never know, do you?” he said. “I like Crouchy, he knows how to play. If you put a ball into the box, he’s going to head it. He’s too tall to stop. "But it was a foul for the first goal!” But Hughes, on his return to Loftus Road, insisted Crouch is staying. “There was an enquiry and I said, ‘No’ and that was as far as it went. "I would imagine we will get another enquiry in January if he keeps playing that well. Will I give the same answer? "Yes.” "
âBut I just feel at the moment we are open because we have got two wing backs-playing at full-back or wingers almost. Unbef**inglievable. This is our manager folks.
And he sold our right back to make way for Isla and tried to sell Traore to Palace after saying he was behind YSY in the pecking order. How many million a year is Harry on?...
Nothing wrong with, denial…… as l get older, I'm finding the word extremely easier to use and it has become regular in my daily routine. Harry obviously finds it just as pleasing.
He is totally blinkered. He signed the wing back and has now abandoned the system. Yun hasn't been fit, so I do expect him to start soon. Selling Simpson was a huge mystery. He's not outstanding, but he is a reliable right back. Rio was fine for three at the back, but he now is totally exposed with no cover either side or in front. Mr Dinosaur will relegate us.
I will compare Rio with them. Bobby & Franz were world class players who ended up playing superbly & carrying rugged old fashioned centre halves. Rio has less than 10% of their ability, & that was when he was in his prime.
Mmm..................I'm don't think Ferdinand was as good as either of them, but in his prime he was in Fifa's team of the 2002 World Cup. He was one of the best defenders in the World for many years. He's struggling now with both the march of age and Mr Dinosaur's terrible tactics. Put Dunne or Hill or Onuoha in there and see if there is much change with no protection from in front or from the full backs.
Own up....what idiot crept in whilst Arry wasn't watching and put those wing backs on the team sheet....whoever did it report to the headmaster office right now!
Agreed. I'm with Queens in that I'm fast losing patience with that bloke. All he seems to do is excuses.
The squad was built ready for the season to play 3-5-2, it didn't work and now the choices are play that formation that clearly wasn't working or play with a back four using players who are there for a different role, we seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. The players should be able to adapt to any formation and the wing backs should be able to play as defenders, the players will probably come good at some stage, let's just hope it's not too late! Personally I don't think changing the manager at this stage will help, we need to go at least till Christmas before that is even considered.
Well, depending on results of course. If he were to keep losing in the next few weeks then him and his entourage will have to be culled.
