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The original is at http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/2006/10/09/butcher-backs.html.
Butcher backs Ferdinand's backing of Rooney
Former England hero comes out in support of supportive central defender
by William Evans
Terry Butcher has backed Rio Ferdinand's backing of Wayne Rooney to excel in last weekend's Euro 2008 qualifier in which a rampant England surged to a 0-0 draw against the mighty FYR Macedonia.
Speaking on the BBC Five Live Sports Extra programme, Butcher said: "I've never been concerned about Rio's form in press conferences. Sitting down the way he did, in front of all of those reporters, and sticking up for Wayne so strongly is the type of performance we've come to expect from Rio in press conferences for years now. He's become the natural leader for England at media scrimmages, in much the same way that Tony Adams was for Arsenal and England in days of yore."
And asked about his use of the expression "days of yore", Butcher, now coach of Sydney FC in Australia, backed the turn of phrase. "It's a great turn of phrase," he said.
Queried about his almost total absence of backing for David Beckham, which has itself received backing from numerous other members of the football glitterati in recent days, Butcher said: "I haven't backed David since he backed out of that challenge on the right wing in Shizouka in 2002. I think that what we're seeing now with the backing of my views from all quarters is... well... quarter-backing really."
And Manager Steve Mclaren has defended his employment of the "utterly pointless press conferences before big games" system, after receiving behind-the-scenes backing from media mogul Max Clifford. "I think it's been magnificent," he said, in trademark style. "In any media-related profession these days, you need to be able to deploy a range of systems, and the 'utterly pointless press conferences before big games' system is just one of those. But we're not limited to that.
"In recent days, you've seen the 'wheel out Terry Butcher to back Steve Mclaren's absence of backing for David Beckham' system, and if needs be, we'll be hearing Pele's views on potential winners of the Euro 2008 tournament, when the time's appropriate. It will be particularly important in the coming days for us to reiterate the oft-forgotten adage that 'there are no easy games in international football these days'.
"Obviously, we all know that Croatia are complete shi*te, but what's really important is creating the impression that we take them seriously as opponents. That's why we've asked Barry Venison to scout them in their recent matches."
Terry "El Tel" Venables, meanwhile, is backing England to shine in Wednesday's clash with the aforementioned Croatia. "I'm backing England to shine," he told an utterly pointless press conference.
Previously
From The Rockall Times Monday 9th October 2006
http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/.