500 for Carragher

[The Baron]

Lots of managers like to have a combination of a 'ball-playing' CB, and an 'out-and-out defending' CB... Rio is far and away the best defensive user of the ball, and Terry (it is probably agreed) is the best 'defender'... Therefore Carragher is/was really playing for 1 position only, the 'defensive' CB...

Interesting post - Tony Adams said on the issue Ferdinand and Terry will never work together as they both play the "sweeper" out of the 2 centre halves at their clubs. Carvalho and Vidic are the "go to the opposition" man at their clubs.

Whilst their styles are different, Terry and Ferdinand have the same roles.

[The Baron]

If I had 2 kids and a wife and I was leaving them for over a week at a time, several times a year, to play out of position or worse not at all becuase people who've been out for 3 years and 9 months respectively get a game ahead of me (even though I've been in the shortlist for European defender of the year 2 out of the last 3 years) I think I'd stay home too.

Same would apply if I was one of the top two or three attacking central midfielders in the world and I was being moved to the left wing to accomodate someone not as good as me in my position.

If that's me letting my country down then so be it.

[Pelham Boy]

IMO good club player but not international class.

[The Baron]

IMO good club player but not international class.

Honestly do you think international football is a higher standard than the Champions League?

[Colchester Kev]

lets hope the hub cap thieves pack the stadium tonight for Rafa AND Carragher ... thus ensuring Luton some much needed dosh.

[Pelham Boy]

IMO good club player but not international class.

Honestly do you think international football is a higher standard than the Champions League?

Debateable. I would say at tournament level,international football has the edge.

[GlasgowBandit]

I'd love a jamie Carragher in my team.  For me he is the best English defender, no nonsense from him gets on with the game gives as good as he gets doesn't pretent to be a footballer, defenders dont play football anyway.  The ones that try are generally pish.

[Flea]

Here's a controversial point but I'd pick Carragher ahead of Rio any day of the week because whilst Ferdinand had the ability to be one of the best (if not the best) defenders in the World he actually is the biggest waste of talent - good on the ball but is regularly caught out of position and if he wasn't strong with a reasonable turn of pace would be a complete liability but does manage to get himself out of trouble. How much better does he look with Vidic though (because Vidic is no nonsense straight out a defender as is Carragher and in that respect the best defender England have). Carragher and Terry would be Englands best defensive pairing except that at the very top level the pair lack just enough pace to get caught out by the best forwards around - hence Rio.

[Nakor]

Here's a controversial point but I'd pick Carragher ahead of Rio any day of the week because whilst Ferdinand had the ability to be one of the best (if not the best) defenders in the World he actually is the biggest waste of talent - good on the ball but is regularly caught out of position and if he wasn't strong with a reasonable turn of pace would be a complete liability but does manage to get himself out of trouble. How much better does he look with Vidic though (because Vidic is no nonsense straight out a defender as is Carragher and in that respect the best defender England have). Carragher and Terry would be Englands best defensive pairing except that at the very top level the pair lack just enough pace to get caught out by the best forwards around - hence Rio.

The only thing I can add to that is that Carragher got made to look ordinary against "World Class" strikers - Henry and Van Nist for example, this happened far too often and I think that just made successive England managers too nervous of his ability.  However a fine player, with a great attitude, if only we could all have more like him.  A nice touch with the guard of honour too.

[jizzemm]

The only thing I can add to that is that Carragher got made to look ordinary against "World Class" strikers - Henry and Van Nist

U sure... He only scored 2 against us in his time for Man Yoo...

Henry i dont know, he kept scoring against us, but he was class, and i dont think there are many defenders out there who have stopped him scoring against them..

[Nem]

Jamie Carragher - the most overrated defender in football. Flea, I take it you're a Liverpool supporter, because only a Liverpool supporter would pick Carragher ahead of Ferdinand. Ferdinand, Terry, King, Woodgate are all better than him. There are plenty of foreign defenders in the EPL who are better than him as well: Vidic, Carvalho, Kaboul etc...


































OBVIOUSLY joking about Kaboul!

I'd love a jamie Carragher in my team.  For me he is the best English defender, no nonsense from him gets on with the game gives as good as he gets doesn't pretent to be a footballer, defenders dont play football anyway.  The ones that try are generally pish.

"I know, I will try and out play Henry!" 'AVE IT!!!

[booder]

King, Woodgate are ..better than him.

 

[TightEnd]

King, Woodgate are ..better than him.

 

I agree with Nemesis

Woodgate in particular

[Nem]

King, Woodgate are ..better than him.

 

Carragher is just an intelligent Michael Dawson.

NB: Inteligence of having more than 5 brain cells (Dawson has 4!)

[booder]

I agree with Nemesis

Woodgate in particular

when King and Woodgate have performed consistently well at the highest level for ten years they might stand comparison.