Delima Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Does Carragher get enough credits he is due? Often we see him appearing in the list of most overrated players but what has he done to warrant such degradation? If you were Steve McLaren, and if both Jonathan Woodgate and John Terry are fully fit, which 2 central defenders will you pick in the qualifying match later this month? Jamie Carragher and John Terry, who is the better hard man? Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate, who is the better game reader? The Guardian Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender? No matter how many times the Liverpool centre-half repels Europe's finest, he stays firmly in John Terry's shadow. Rob Smyth March 7, 2007 11:05 AM Jamie Carragher is the supporting actor who keeps stealing the film. And yet the Academy refuses to acknowledge him in an appropriate fashion. No matter how many times Carragher defies the world's greatest attackers, the praise he receives remains resolutely patronising and faint - as if the only reason he excels is because Liverpool's defensive nature means he is given a showy role as the backs-to-the-wall hero. If it was that easy, everybody would be doing it. All evidence gathered over the last three seasons of the Champions League, football's most relevant genre, suggests that Carragher is a defender of the truest substance. Paradoxically, he is one of the best defenders in Europe and yet only the fourth-best in England, behind John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate (or, before him, Sol Campbell). Carragher has always lurked in the shadow of Terry, apparently the Stuart MacGill to his Shane Warne; even in 2005, when he inspired Liverpool to the Champions League, it was Terry who was won Uefa's Best Defender award. Yet his performances against the very best sides have been of a consistently higher standard. Terry was poor at Euro 2004, modest at last year's World Cup and, while Carragher is neither in credit or debit internationally due to lack of exposure, his performances have been more three-dimensional, more sentient, in Europe: Terry, so happy taking up his position at the front post and heading balls away all day in the Premiership, has been given the runaround on more than one occasion, particularly by Barcelona, and even famously lost a battle of strength with Ronaldinh :oo at the Nou Camp in Chelsea's aggregate defeat a year ago. Last night, Carragher won the battle of strength - physical and mental - so emphatically that he had broken the will of the world's best attacking unit inside the game's first quarter. He does not have pace, but then nor does Terry, and his combination of sixth sense (there is a reason he makes so many last-ditch challenges, and it's not only because he's slow), psychological resolution, furious concentration acute tactical awareness and - yes - backs-to-the-wall heroism make him a truly formidable opponent. Indeed, given the concentration lapses which continue to compromise the superior talents of Rio Ferdinand, there is an increasingly compelling argument that, at the very, very highest level, Carragher might just be the best English defender around. But the cognoscenti - and the England management - are unlikely to ever recognise him as such. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Jamie Carragher is over-rated. He's just a bruiser. The only reason that wasn't horribly exposed last night was because Liverpool defended and attacked as a team for most of the 90 yesterday. Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry are on a different level to him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Spectrum Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Carragher suffers because of his apparent versatilty - spent far too long playing at Full Back (Where he was pretty shite IMO) and he's got this can-play-anywhere tag. Shame, I think he's quality as a centre half but he seems to be getting in England squads as a jack of all trades type and being given fill in roles at full back and in midfield for some nonsensical reason. I'm firmly in the Terry is shite for England camp - certainly doesn't deserve to be in the team IMO (would have gladly fucked him off for Ledley King after Euro2004 but now his knee has gone all gimpy). I dont see why Ferdinand and Carragher shouldn't be the first choice pairing on a trial basis - Carragher has been as good as anyone at centre half for the past couple of years and Ferdinand has never let England down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 On current form it's Woodgate and Carragher, for me. Obviously we all know that Terry and Ferdinand are top-quality, but the former two have been absolutely colossal for their respective teams lately. Carragher is once again reproducing the form that made him instrumental in Liverpool's European title win of two seasons ago and Woodgate is playing regularly and showing everyone that he is possibly the best in the business, despite getting slower because of his multiple injuries. Woody and Carra fall down because of their lack of pace when compared to the likes of Ferdinand, but they make up for it with their reading of the game. Not exactly a bad pool of defenders for England to choose from, is it? Why is Dawson in the list, by the way? Tottenham's defence has hardly been rock-solid lately, has it? Doesn't get near the other 4, IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Carragher = heroic and all that crap, but he just isnt as good at football as Rio/Woodgate. I like the joke option you sneaked in though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon55544 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Dawson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delima Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 I am just jumping on the recent Spurs teasing bandwagon Hopefully no one voted for him. For the record I don't rate Dawson, thought Lescott is a better player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Rio and Woody - not even a contest What idiot voted for Dawson? :lol: you're as good putting Peter Damage down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Woodgate and Carragher here too. I remember when we signed Woody a comparrison was done on some website or another woth him and Rio. Woodgate = steady for 90 minutes, does nothing flash but never makes horrendous errors. Rio = Steady for 89 minutes, but is flash in everything he does and is therefore prone to make one rik a game due to playing on the edge. Therefore Woody the better defender. Rio has improved since his drug ban, but is just shaded by the other 2 at present Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowndsy Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Ferdinand is over rated imo.. has 5minutes a game where he fuks up. sometimes costing man u a few points or causing htem to loose.. i chose carragher and woody Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 On current form Rio & Carragher. On usual form, Woody & Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 I voted Carra and Ferdinand for some reason, meant Carra and Woodgate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Carragher and Woodgate right now, but we all know that England teams aren't picked on form, or they would change a lot more often than they do. Macca has a liking for Terry and Rio so I can't see that changing except due to an injury. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellious Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 On current form Rio & Carragher. On usual form, Woody & Terry. Same here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brewer Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Ferdinand is over rated imo.. has 5minutes a game where he fuks up. sometimes costing man u a few points or causing htem to loose.. It's become such a cliche. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Aye, Man Utd have lost buckets of points this season because of Rio. Definite fallacy to say he costs them games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Rio's top class. End of message. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Rio's top class. End of message. Goes without saying. Rio and Woody tick all the boxes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Rio has been rock solid this season, you could say he's peaking or at the start of peaking. Any defense in the world would be happy to have him right now. Pulled Vidic up to scratch this season (apart from the Liverpool game) and are looking the best central partnership in the EPL this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinho lad Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Jamie Carragher is over-rated. He's just a bruiser. The only reason that wasn't horribly exposed last night was because Liverpool defended and attacked as a team for most of the 90 yesterday. Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry are on a different level to him. What about Bramble?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Jamie Carragher is over-rated. He's just a bruiser. The only reason that wasn't horribly exposed last night was because Liverpool defended and attacked as a team for most of the 90 yesterday. Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry are on a different level to him. What about Bramble?! No, no, you were right... Newcastle should be ashamed of themselves for not having bought Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry " " Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Jamie Carragher is over-rated. He's just a bruiser. The only reason that wasn't horribly exposed last night was because Liverpool defended and attacked as a team for most of the 90 yesterday. Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry are on a different level to him. Harsh on Carragher. He's an excellent defender but he can pass a bit too. He's not exactly Beckenbauer but one of his strengths is he knows his limitations in that regard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinho lad Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Jamie Carragher is over-rated. He's just a bruiser. The only reason that wasn't horribly exposed last night was because Liverpool defended and attacked as a team for most of the 90 yesterday. Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry are on a different level to him. What about Bramble?! No, no, you were right... Newcastle should be ashamed of themselves for not having bought Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry " " I never said we should be getting the likes of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Jamie Carragher is over-rated. He's just a bruiser. The only reason that wasn't horribly exposed last night was because Liverpool defended and attacked as a team for most of the 90 yesterday. Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry are on a different level to him. What about Bramble?! No, no, you were right... Newcastle should be ashamed of themselves for not having bought Woodgate, Ferdinand and Terry " " I never said we should be getting the likes of them. Oh, I know. You didn't come up with any names when I asked you. I just thought we were having a contest to see who could put the most fallacious words into the other's mouth. In any case, we've done this before, watch this will-power: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Rio is excellent but its easier to jump on the "over-rated" "he's shit" bandwagon. Bit like Gary Neville. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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