I think what UIR is doing is trying to counter the way most who bash Rio actually use his technical ability against him. Just bcos he was a ball player it somehow means he couldnt defend instead of seeing it as an added attribute that other defenders lack. I personally dont agree that nobody came close to him. But he was one of the best to have played in the prem. I also believe IF he hadnt had his back injury, he could have played at any top 4 club until he was 40 or close to it.
It's taken Terry until the age of 35 to learn how to read the game, credit to him for eventually getting there. Rio could do that when he was 17. If Rio wasn't so injury prone he could have played at the top level until he was 40. Sadly his body gave up on him a couple of years ago. Interesting tributes to Rio from fellow players in the media. Call it football snobbery if you want but anyone who thinks he was overrated or not top class is completely clueless.
It is possible to be both top class AND over rated you realise? Rio was definitely one of the best defenders of the PL era. Bettered probably by only Terry and Adams. But you think he WAS the best, which means you over rate him
Rio was unquestionably the best. Followed by Stam. Followed by Terry. Adams wouldn't be in my top ten.
I can see us taking him back as a defensive coach, he could have a great influence over Smalling and Jones.
Obviously not, as I, and many others, have questioned it There is not even an IT to question. I cant ever recall an ex professional, pundit, football expert, or anyone other than Not606 United fans, refer to Rio as such.
Gary Nev said he was the best he played with. Nev played with Terry and Stam. Probably Adams as well. Gary knows. Selected for PFA team of the year 6 times. More than any other defender in the PL era. You can question it but you'd be wrong.
Unbiased here comparing those two... Ferdinand and Terry are/were equally as good. I'd put those two alongside Stam, Campbell, Vidic and Adams as the best centre backs the league has seen with Carvalho not far behind. Arguing who is the best out of them is fanboyish nonsense given there's no answer. And those that think there is a definitive answer are probably the ones you know who's opinion is furthest from the truth.
I wouldn't put Vidic in the same bracket as Terry or Stam. He struggled to handle quick strikers who had the ability to draw him in tight and then turn him. I'm assuming your post is a piss take as you included Campbell in it. Carvelho was comfortably better than both Campbell and Adams who were both blockers. Blockers are only revered in England.
Arguing who is the best out of them is fanboyish nonsense given there's no answer. And those that think there is a definitive answer are probably the ones you know who's opinion is furthest from the truth
I appreciate your input but as long as you're categorising Sol Campbell as one of the best centre halves in PL history then your opinion is worthless. Talk about fanboyish nonsense! It's on a par with a Chav fan having an unbiased opinion of Anton Ferdinand's brother.
Best centreback in the premiership era. World class in the league, world class in europe, world class internationally.
Agree mate. Now let me ask you this. IF you, I and 90% of unbiased fans and pundits can agree on your general point about Ferdinand... can you tell me how he is over-rated??? Bcos that's the bollox I dont understand. Especially as one of those saying so has liked your post
