Rio set for new defensive-midfield role

[Stanley]

Redknapp has been trialling Rio in a holding defensive midfield role during training sessions. It is unclear whether HR was simply looking at the experiment for the Chelsea game, or whether it is an option for other fixtures.

Redknapp played Ferdinand in midfield as a youngster at West Ham on occasion and the veteran could be asked to give the QPR defence greater protection.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/11202525/Rio-Ferdinand-criticises-FA-over-ludicrous-three-match-ban-for-Twitter-comment.html

Rio Ferdinand could still play against Chelsea tomorrow - in a surprise new role - if QPR apply for a seven-day stay of execution to delay his three-match ban.

A QPR source this morning confirmed Redknapp has been using Ferdinand in training all week and may even want him to play in a new role against Chelsea. The source revealed: “Harry has been trying Rio out in a new role in training every day and it’s worked well.”

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/banned-qpr-defender-rio-ferdinand-could-play-against-chelsea--and-in-a-new-position-9830785.html

[ArcticHoop]

Oh dear!! So we have to find him place in a starting 11 no matter what? Next month as a left winger?

[californiahoop]

To close out a game it might not be a bad shout.

[ArcticHoop]

To close out a game it might not be a bad shout.

We have Sandro, Henry and Joey's coming back soon. I'm also against playing players out of positions. Rio has played dm last time 1997?

[Hubble]

Just.. no, basically. You don't start trying things out when you're scrapping for survival. Stick to what works and build from there. Ferdinand has looked lackadaisical to me from the get go. Languid would be a nice way of putting it. We need a scrapper, a fighter in the DM position, not a primadonna. Maybe against a team of lesser potency than the scum or City he could work in that role, but for now, we've got Sandro, Henry and Barton to come back as well, all of whom should start ahead of Ferdinand in the DMN role. IMHO of course.

[Rangers77]

Only role he should try out for is Jude the Cat....

[dsqpr]

I think everybody is being too hard on Rio. Understandable given the way we have been burned the last time in the EPL but I don't think Rio is like that. It will be good for him to know that he has to compete for his place and I'm not against trying different things to get him playing well. Seems as though he is a very positive influence off the pitch so let's see if we can bring him up to speed on it.

[gator]

Isn't he banned anyway? I'm not against experimenting with Rio in a match like this if he is in fact eligible and has trained enough at that position!

[jmelanie]

Isn't he banned anyway? I'm not against experimenting with Rio in a match like this if he is in fact eligible and has trained enough at that position!

I assume that if they appeal the decision, he will be able to play until a decision is made on the appeal.

[Hitman34]

What a farking insult to the midfielders that have been running their guts out these past couple of games.

Rio needs to fark off and retire.

He was dropped for a reason.
The reason being he is shyte.
Harry does what Harry does best, putting square pegs in round holes

[Ablockhoop]

Way to harsh on Rio. Reads the game very well and is a great passer. Why not. Maybe Sandro or Henry have a knock

[Kevin Mcleod]

The rio hate is an absolute and utter joke. But no surprise. People on the internet HAVE to hate things and show that hate with their fingers pressing letters on a keyboard. Makes life worthwhile.

[Kirill]

The rio hate is an absolute and utter joke. But no surprise.

Indeed it is no surprise because he is as useless as some of us actually had the common sense to predict he would be. Slated we got for stating the bleeding obvious, but now conveniently forgotten . Of course who deserve our derision right now more than this yet another aged mercenary are the clueless or corrupt buffoons in positions of power at QPR who keep recommending and signing such players for us, suspiciously refusing to learn anything from countless previous examples.

[CroydonCaptainJack]

Indeed it is no surprise because he is as useless as some of us actually had the common sense to predict he would be. Slated we got for stating the bleeding obvious, but now conveniently forgotten . Of course who deserve our derision right now more than this yet another aged mercenary are the clueless or corrupt buffoons in positions of power at QPR who keep recommending and signing such players for us, suspiciously refusing to learn anything from countless previous examples.

Focusing on the positives as usual Kirill?

[Kevin Mcleod]

Indeed it is no surprise because he is as useless as some of us actually had the common sense to predict he would be. Slated we got for stating the bleeding obvious, but now conveniently forgotten . Of course who deserve our derision right now more than this yet another aged mercenary are the clueless or corrupt buffoons in positions of power at QPR who keep recommending and signing such players for us, suspiciously refusing to learn anything from countless previous examples.

Hes played a handful of games and has got the most honours in the game than any player to pull on the hoops, and there is a reason for that, not luck. Last season it was zamora, and that changed.
Oh and if you coat every single player and thing to do with the club you are bound to be 'really intelligent and clever and the all seeing eye' once in a while. Thats a fact of life.