Anton Ferdinand

[3points]

he was quality again last night. As already mentioned, he doesn;t need to run much due to his positioning. And I don't think he's as slow as people seem to believe. It's just when he sprints I always think he's going to pull up with another injury

[yappy]

I really hope we can get McShane & Ferdinand fit at the same time again. The two oozed class together at the beginning of the season.

[loyalroyal4life]

I really hope we can get McShane & Ferdinand fit at the same time again. The two oozed class together at the beginning of the season.

Agreed, it is our best pairing currently

[Sutekh]

I would offer a deal. He's managed to spend more time playing this season so there's hope he maybe able to remain in a pitchworthy condition for a while longer yet.

[Hoop Blah]

I'd probably go out and get a couple of defenders who are going to be fit and available more often than not.

Ferdinand has done well when he's played obviously, but even on a pay as you play deal it's not idea to have a key player unavailable for so much of the time.

If we can't get another experienced centre half in over the summer (someone like a Mike Williamson or Gareth McAuley - probably going a bit far on the experienced bit with that example!) I'd be tempted to let him leave but with Hector unlikely to be here maybe he gets another year to be the 4th option with Cooper being the youngster pushing the older guys.

[RoyalJames101]

Loved his reaction to us conceding the other night as well. Went completely mental, looked like he actually cared about conceding.

[wingnut]

Loved his reaction to us conceding the other night as well. Went completely mental, looked like he actually cared about conceding.

That'll be his clean sheet bonus blown

Think I probably agree with HB here. I do like Anton - at his best he looks a class above. But it's on record (by Clarke at least) that he needs a long time to warm up and this is only going to get worse meaning that he's no use as a sub. So given his susceptibility to injury anyway I can't see him being here next year.

[sandman]

Loved his reaction to us conceding the other night as well. Went completely mental, looked like he actually cared about conceding.

That'll be his clean sheet bonus blown

Think I probably agree with HB here. I do like Anton - at his best he looks a class above. But it's on record (by Clarke at least) that he needs a long time to warm up and this is only going to get worse meaning that he's no use as a sub. So given his susceptibility to injury anyway I can't see him being here next year.

Came off the bench to good effect against Brizzle so maybe that was Clarke's issue rather than Ferdinand's.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

He's absolutely top class. So what if he needs a more care than a 22 year old prone to errors? On a budget like Reading's you can have fit and Championship level (young or OK) or an older player who is a cut above everyone else.

I'd say risk it and look after him: maybe a lowish wage but a significant appearance bonus so if he doesn't play much we don't pay too much, but if he can, we recognise he is by far our best centre back since Ivar hung up his boots.

[CrowthorneRoyal]

Loved his reaction to us conceding the other night as well. Went completely mental, looked like he actually cared about conceding.

That'll be his clean sheet bonus blown

Think I probably agree with HB here. I do like Anton - at his best he looks a class above. But it's on record (by Clarke at least) that he needs a long time to warm up and this is only going to get worse meaning that he's no use as a sub. So given his susceptibility to injury anyway I can't see him being here next year.

Came off the bench to good effect against Brizzle so maybe that was Clarke's issue rather than Ferdinand's.

He always stays out warming up after the rest of the team has gone in. Also came out early at half time to warm up after the late first half sub for McShane

[Scutterbucketz]

Has he played more than 7 games in a row for us?

A Sunderland fan was telling me that he is incapable of playing more than 7 in a row and hasn't done since his first major injury. I didn't know if it was true or not but couldn't recall him playing that many in a row for us.

[Hoop Blah]

Has he played more than 7 games in a row for us?

A Sunderland fan was telling me that he is incapable of playing more than 7 in a row and hasn't done since his first major injury. I didn't know if it was true or not but couldn't recall him playing that many in a row for us.

Well I never, he played 7 games in a row at the start of the season, then had 9 off.

[Mr Optimist]

Definitely one of those players that I didn't really rate or appreciate until he played for us. Thought he was a gurning simpleton before he came to us but this season he has proved me wrong.

File with Jeff Hopkins, Jim Leighton and Jason Roberts!

[Scutterbucketz]

Has he played more than 7 games in a row for us?

A Sunderland fan was telling me that he is incapable of playing more than 7 in a row and hasn't done since his first major injury. I didn't know if it was true or not but couldn't recall him playing that many in a row for us.

Well I never, he played 7 games in a row at the start of the season, then had 9 off.

The curse continues.

[RoyalBlue]

I heard today that Anton Ferdinand has been confirmed as playing in Mark Noble's testimonial match on March 28th?

If this is true, WTF are the club playing at, agreeing that someone so injury prone can play in a testimonial during the season?

[SCIAG]

Maybe they're trying to avoid pissing off our best defender by letting him play for five minutes?

He'll probably be injured anyway.

(The better question is why a player who is still under contract is being given a testimonial...)

[RoyalBlue]

Maybe they're trying to avoid pissing off our best defender by letting him play for five minutes?

He'll probably be injured anyway.

(The better question is why a player who is still under contract is being given a testimonial...)

Don't care whether it pisses him off or not. He shouldn't be risked for even five minutes - he is paid to play for us (albeit not that often) not Mark Noble.

[Hoop Blah]

I know this is Anton Ferdinand we're talking about but he can get through 45 minutes of a testimonial without getting injured! He's much more likely to do something in training, or walking the dog, than he is at his mates testimonial.

(The better question is why a player who is still under contract is being given a testimonial...)

Not sure what being under contract has to do with it. He's been there more than ten years, which is the standard, and be a great servant to their club. In this day and age I'd be surprised if he's keeping all the money anyway.

[Lower West]

If he can get through this season with only minor injuries I'd offer him another year, year by year until he breaks down again.

Agreed

+1
His experience helps both Cooper & Hector(who probably thinks he knows it all but is still learning)

and benefits Keown.