Paul Parker Article

Focus on football, Rio

Sat Oct 31 06:58AM

Match of the weekend: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

This is a real test of Tottenham's ambitions. They have a bigger squad than Arsenal and more strength in depth, but lack individuals with the quality of Andrei Arshavin or Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal have started the season well, but they have frailties in defence and you worry about their durability. They will always outplay teams while still giving them a chance. It should be a great game; you know both sides will attack and there should be goals. Tottenham have injury problems with their centre-backs, and desperately need to get two of them playing consistently.

Harry Redknapp has suggested David Bentley might get a start, and if he does it would be a big gamble. He is the kind of player who can turn it on in big games but he has failed to do it week in, week out for Tottenham. One thing is for certain - he won't be beating Gael Clichy for pace down the Spurs right. Fabio Capello was at the Emirates on Wednesday to look at Kieran Gibbs, and Arsene Wenger has touted him for England. He is a great talent - as good as Ashley Cole at the same age - but it would be wrong for Capello to pick him if he is not getting regular first-team football.

Upset of the weekend: Bolton v Chelsea

Bolton were thrashed in midweek by Chelsea, and will be looking for payback here. It has been a strange season in the sense that every time you think a pattern is starting to emerge, one of the top sides loses. So it would be typical if Chelsea, having returned to the top of the table, slipped up. One thing in their favour is that they can match up to anyone physically, and won't be intimidated by their direct play. John Terry will fancy himself to deal with Kevin Davies's threat up front, and the big man may be forced into wider positions. Chelsea have had a few problems away from home, so they will have to be on their mettle to secure the points.

Player to watch: Alberto Aquilani

The Italian made his long-awaited Liverpool debut in the Carling Cup on Wednesday and is being nursed slowly into action. It would be a surprise to see him start against Fulham, but he could make another substitute appearance. He has so much pressure on him; he is expected to settle in immediately and replace Xabi Alonso, which is a tall order. I must admit he never caught my eye when he was at Roma, and he will have to adapt quickly to the most competitive league in Europe. Expectations are high, and he must make a fast start.

Under pressure: Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand has had a turbulent season to say the least. He is doubtful for Saturday's game against Blackburn with a calf strain, but if he does play he needs to turn his form around immediately. A lot has been made of his back injury, but it wasn't an injury that made him try to scoop the ball arrogantly over Craig Bellamy in the Manchester derby. I worry he is getting close to David Beckham territory, where image is more important than performance. Last week he was strutting about on the red carpet for the launch of his film, and it showed in his performance against Liverpool at Anfield. You cannot say it is not a distraction, and it is time for him to put outside interests to one side and concentrate on football.

Comments1 - 30 of 31
First
Previous
1
2
Next
Last

1st
From georges_attieh on Sat Oct 31 07:33AM
Report abuse
agree with the ferdinand deal ( manchester united fan)
From yrhooligan on Sat Oct 31 07:39AM
Report abuse
I 2nd the opninion on Fwedinand.(Man Utd fan)
From boyz_rulz_86 on Sat Oct 31 08:07AM
Report abuse
I normally let Parkers opinions go over my head because I really think the guy is a nonse.
But what he says is true this time on Rio.
Too many cakes in the oven and something has to burn.
Boro fan "Strachan forever."
From davidraynor3 on Sat Oct 31 08:21AM
Report abuse
Whatever Parker says - he gets it wrong. Chelsea will surely beat now...
From mefager1985 on Sat Oct 31 08:42AM
Report abuse
drivel once again. chelsea will score three today as bolton see a repeat of what happened nidweek. i have no arsenal players in my team but they will easily dispose of totspur
From dipshitdominges on Sat Oct 31 08:55AM
Report abuse
man u fans this is the ferdinand needs our support
come guys he has been impressive ever since he join united
i believe he will come out from all this insults n i dont understand
why people blame him for torres goal
From shesheaimar on Sat Oct 31 09:11AM
Report abuse
i am sure it was said yesterday that aqualini is out with a virus on ssn when rafa did his news conference,yet pp wrote this today!so it will be hard to watch aqualini play in his sick bed!
From jradford30 on Sat Oct 31 09:19AM
Report abuse
#9 I dont blame him at all and I dont think he is a liability to man utd. Its just he needs to concentrate and get his head in the game again. I want to see the old Ferdinand who make fowards scared just by the look in his eyes.
From boyz_rulz_86 on Sat Oct 31 09:21AM
Report abuse
Whenever I watch Rio Ferdinand play I always think he's trying to be like Bobby Moore - to coast through games never breaking sweat and appearing really casual. Bobby Moore could do it because he was different class, unfortunately for Rio, he isn't.
From cadman_2004 on Sat Oct 31 09:27AM
Report abuse
the only thing ferdinand has impressed with is his lack of pace his ego and his lack of footballing ability.How he was ever picked to play for England is beyond me.He will lose you more games with his mistakes than goalie James.Think a bit of that gum chumping A.F. has rubbed off on him!!
From stuie_6 on Sat Oct 31 09:36AM
Report abuse
Very true CADMAN, Bobby had everthing Ferdinand has nothing in comparison.He is a liability and i dont think he worries any forwards with his casual approach and lack of ability.
From stuie_6 on Sat Oct 31 09:42AM
Report abuse
Concentrate on Man u eh paul? how can totetenham hav a biger squad than arsenal? what nonsense. which team has field a team which consist of mainly youth against liverpool? wt.f.
From tzexiongpang on Sat Oct 31 09:50AM
Report abuse
Rio is finished, he was good. his time has passed, even vidic finds problems tacckling torres, what in the hell is alex expecting from him against a player like torres. Ritire or you go down the drain.....Gunners 4 life
From sammydbull2004 on Sat Oct 31 09:53AM
Report abuse
ive been sayin that for weeks about ferdinand.. he's has that poxy online magazine too where he was interviewing lebron james the other week, it seems like he's thinking about what questions to ask the next star during important football matches, i say drop him - jonny evans is fast becoming world class anyway.. thanks rio but its your own fault.
From markfinnerty on Sat Oct 31 10:15AM
Report abuse
Its not often i agree with Paul Parker but he has a point when he says Ferdinand needs to step it up. I dont think he should be the fall guy for the Torres goal as there cant be too many central defenders who can match Torres for pace. Time stops for no man and it may be that his age is starting to tell. His book launch and all the trappings and distractions that go with it could be a factor when assesing his dip in form
From phil.lee32 on Sat Oct 31 10:18AM
Report abuse
Never won a beauty contest has Rio,dont think he ever will.
From fneedle on Sat Oct 31 10:32AM
Report abuse
rio should be sold as he wants to be with hes magazine all the time
From paultiscali2002 on Sat Oct 31 10:51AM
Report abuse
Great article, Paul! Keep it up!
From tanelteder on Sat Oct 31 10:54AM
Report abuse
manchester united losses again.
From irfansabri95 on Sat Oct 31 11:03AM
Report abuse
Actually Paul its time for Jonnie Evans to be given a long run whilst Mr Bling Bling sorts his life out. He's makinjg too many mistakes and unsettling the defence he needs a wake up call. Perhaps six weeks in the reserves with the threat that poses to his England place might shake Rio out of his self obsessed state. Personally I think he should resign from England duty and concetrate on giving his best to United for whatever time he has left in the Premiership. It worked wonders for Schioles and Giggs.
From redgeoff on Sat Oct 31 11:07AM
Report abuse
Pls, keep Rio until we play them so that he can make more mistakes and we can beat them embarrassingly.
Personally, i dont think its Rio magazine that causing his slumber rather, its his age and the only thing he is lacking is his pace. He always fumble against a good striker but his ability to recover made him look good. I say time up for Rio. His intelligent has made him to create a business that will replace his football career soonest.
btw, PP, i was never your fan but lately you have bought my heart. Good article, especially the point that Spurs has a larger team than Arsenal, i see Spurs beating Arsenal or they both draw. No matter how many goals baby goners score, they will still be far away from where the cup is.
Its Chelsea season!!!!!
From lennoxmallory on Sat Oct 31 11:54AM
Report abuse
how about focus on other teams parker. tottenham v arsenal could be the game of the season but you would rather talk about a man u defender who may or may not be fit for a game at blackburn. maybe i dont want to see his mongoloid duck face when im eating my breakfast. something in your teeth parker...looks like a bum hair...
From willjh_2003 on Sat Oct 31 12:29PM
Report abuse
I can't blame the media for picking on him. I mean anyone that wears women's clothing on holiday must be asking for it. Just type in 'rio ferdinand cropped top' into Google images - the boy's not right.
From andyskiv on Sat Oct 31 02:17PM
Report abuse
these guys with the "focus solely on football" drone make me laugh.
It's like athletes aren't allowed to have outside inerests. They spend 8-10 hrs a day on football, and these chumps think they should go home and watch film. you know, to be focused.
Rio is getting older, he's has ALWAYS been over rated. and now it's showing. Nothing to do with financing a movie.
From talew41 on Sat Oct 31 02:49PM
Report abuse
Magazine not movie . Rio is a goofy looking dope isn't he.
From talew41 on Sat Oct 31 02:59PM
Report abuse
well said talew41
From sherriffflood on Sat Oct 31 03:53PM
Report abuse
I thinkd Sir Alex will soon be calling time for Rio. Both Wes Brown & Jonny Evans can fill his position, no problem. I don't think Rio appreciates football any more.
From alfzamm on Sat Oct 31 09:23PM
Report abuse
suck my d i c k paul parker .. chelsea won and won big .. upset? i guess your sorry @#$% is upset!
From vishesh_totla on Sun Nov 01 07:23AM
Report abuse
i met paul parker couple of months ago
top guy
From djtips08 on Sun Nov 01 07:28PM
Report abuse