Ferdinand criticises Hodgson’s team selection
Rio Ferdinand has stated that Roy Hodgson got his team selection wrong at Euro 2012, and should have used Phil Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain more.
The Three Lions were eliminated at the quarter-finals stage by Italy, with Ashley Cole and Ashley Young missing in a penalty shootout.
Ferdinand, who was overlooked for the squad by Hodgson on two occasions, feels younger players should have starred.
“If you take the youngsters to a competition like this, you should get them out there and see what they are made of,” he told The Sun.
“I am a fan of The Ox and I wanted to see more of him but in the end he finished up as a spectator. He was almost in the same position Theo Walcott was when he was picked for the 2006 World Cup.
“Phil Jones is one of the most adaptable players we have in our country and where was he?
“When we need to take the ball from midfield, run 40 yards with it and put the other team on the back foot, he is the man for the job.
“Instead, we stayed cautious and Jordan Henderson was used instead.
“That’s not a criticism of Jordan, he is a different player to Phil, but I thought it showed we were being too conservative,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
June 27th, 2012
Rio has got it right. I said the same thing (even though I’m just a fan) Hodgson should have used the Ox alot more and he also should have used Theo more than he did. He seemed to use a lot a players who really did not seem up to the challenge.
June 27th, 2012
bitter much Rio??? lol. although i have to agree with him that the team selection was off in terms off attack. he is stil