The Times look at the role of the ‘super defender and our very own Wobbly Gobbed Tosser:
‘The defender is suddenly en vogue to the tune of £90,000 a week in John Terry’s case. Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell complete a triumvirate of battle-scarred galácticos. David Beckham may still sell more shirts, but no longer are defenders considered prosaic artisans.
‘It appears that Britain has woken up the fact that defenders can win you titles, too. Indeed, look at the failings of our top clubs in recent years and it can be attributed to porous rearguards. Those who chuckled when Gary Neville suggested that Ferdinand was the best defender Britain had produced failed to appreciate just how important he is to the United cause.
‘United desperately needed an anchor after the abrupt departure of Jaap Stam. United won the Premiership in each of the three seasons in which the Dutchman was at Old Trafford, but the candid remarks made about Sir Alex Ferguson’s transfer methods precipitated his departure from the club and, ultimately, helped Arsenal to win the title. When Ferguson then recruited Ferdinand, the title was wrested from Highbury.’
The stats are thus – since signing Rio has played 55 times, we have conceded 43 goals and have a 67% win rate. When he has been absent we have played 31 times, let in 33 goals and only have a 45% win rate.