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Distinctly Unlovable, But Not Detestable...

England fans were not expected to show support for Rio Ferdinand after his withdrawal, but everyone would be better off focusing on the must-not-lose match against Montenegro...

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Comments 1 - 10 of (19)

HarryBoulton says...

I think nikked1973 has mailed point there about the media having their darlings. The media pick their demons and their angels carefully in line with public perception, and they really run with them. 2 weeks ago you couldn't go two clicks without seeing an article about Gareth Bale. He was Welsh (and therefore by default nearly English) and he was almost as good as Messi and Ronaldo, so they milked it dry. Every article was a fawning eulogy to his brilliance. Yes he was playing well, but some papers routinely filled their pages with articles on him, often repeating what the previous one had already told us, because it was bascially an exercise in popularity. On the flipside, when the media get their teeth into a player they perceive as being unpopular, they do the same, arguably to an even greater degree. Terry had it massively two years ago. Rooney'shad and Suarez had so much ofit it was coming out of his big two. Endless articles about how terribel they all were. Rio is their favourite at the moment, but what amazes me is that people swallow it all so readily. They see a headline, and a suggestion, and before you know they're unloading paragraphs of abuse and bile about that player because of suggestive articles about what they're like in person. Ferdinands fitness has been woeful over the last 2 or 3 years but the media and public ignored this and used his absence as a reason to slate Roy. Now he's pulled out because of fitness reasons and he's devil himself. It's all very, very silly.

Posted 4:35pm 25th March 2013

Tripletaxed (Liverpool) says...

Rio is the most talked about player of his generation....by Rio. That is why he is detestable. Oh, and organising parties where the WAGs are left at home and prostitutes brought in...and deliberately missing drug tests...above reproach and the reason he can comment on everyone else. Right?

Posted 2:55pm 25th March 2013

dryice says...

It's standard journos stuff, they invent a story and then castigate those who they invented the story about, eventually they will defend the same player for the stick he has recieved as a result and blame the fans for forcing them out. The Rio story is so glaringly believable as it's been reported but for whatever reason there has to be some clever side story. it's just odd logic.

Posted 2:27pm 25th March 2013

fishcake (Manchester United) says...

Ah it's just because he's a big time United player, thats all. United players sell papers, they attract the lowest common denominator, and they are up there to be shot at. Rio has every right to not want to represent England, after the way he has been treated, and had he accepted the call up the papers would be saying its a backwards step after England fans 'apparently' wanted to get rid of the old guard. As for Hodgson, he's out of his depth and this entire problem is one that he has created....sadly, those that pushed for an English manager daren't come out and admit that....so its easier just to bash Rio.

Posted 2:07pm 25th March 2013

tom33 (Manchester United) says...

I, personally, disagree with claims that he's 'disrespected' England, particularly when the same accusations aren't thrown at all the other players who've dropped out of this or previous squads due to 'injury'. But it seems a bit odd to try and link this to race. I suspect that, at least for the vast majority of England fans, the aggravation is based purely on a personal dislike of Rio, perhaps backed up by a dislike of Manchester United.

Posted 1:10pm 25th March 2013

Griff (Manchester United) says...

JacobBurns: I think there's a common thread among players who are singled out by England "fans" for derision and it isn't race.

Posted 1:09pm 25th March 2013

sir mince-a-lot (Tottenham Hotspur) says...

Owen Hargreaves was so black back in the day.

Posted 12:55pm 25th March 2013

gazzydoo (Manchester United) says...

I'm absolutely sure that the squad and management are focusing on the match to come. They are the only ones that matter. Who gives a jot what the press and internet are focusing on? They have no effect on the team/match/result, so let em get on with it.

Posted 12:46pm 25th March 2013

nikked1973 (Aston Villa) says...

Going to ignore the racist slur, because I don't think Phil really meant that England fans are racist. The main issue is one of how the media have their favourites and woe-be-tide anyone who dares say or do something against their darling of the month. It sells papers, it keeps journo's in a job. The fact is the media don't like Roy. Firstly he dared get chosen ahead of Saint 'arry of Redknapp for the coverted England job. A crime in itself to most of the knuckle-dragging fleet street hacks that spew their guts daily. Then he had the temerity to select Slugger Terry over Ferdinand (another self publising egotist) prior to the world cup for 'footballing reasons'. The fact that Ferdy was, frankly, pony at the time is lost on most, but whether you like Terry or not, I think he was in better form. That fact he shouldn't have been allowed to select Terry is neither here nor there. Frankly this is all dull dull dull, I couldn't care less whether Ferdinand is available for selection and would never turn down his country. If Roy doesn't pick him, its his choice, he's the manager and upto now he is doing a reasonable job of getting results. Can we PLEASE get off his back! Its boring now.

Posted 12:32pm 25th March 2013

SocraticIrony (Newcastle United) says...

I agree with dryice, that particular assumption seems quite ill judged without suitable accompanying evidence. Is the author applying a personal theory there or is that based on something?

Posted 10:54am 25th March 2013

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