Rio on Wilkinson

Last updated : 07 February 2007 By Paul Smith
Speaking in his autobiography, published shortly after England's painful Quarter-Final exit to Portugal in last summers World Cup, Rio is full of criticism of Wilkinson.

Ferdinand... Forthright views
Wilkinson joined Notts to help out as a non-paid executive during the temultuous reign of Gudjon Thordarson, and is said to have an even more active role in the proceedings under Steve Thompson.

Rio said: "Howard Wilkinson took over as England caretaker manager in place of the sacked (Glenn) Hoddle for the friendly against France at Wembley in February 1999 and I didn't enjoy one minute of it."

Interestingly Notts have been criticised for their set-pieces this season, at least when defending them and keeping all men back. Wilkinson is reportedly the man in charge of this on the training pitch, and Rio said: "To me, Wilkinson was like a school teacher. All he seemed to care about was set-pieces. He kind of bypassed actually playing the game as far as I could see.

"He would read out statistics about how half or more goals are scored from dead balls and that was the way to the promised land.

"He was right in that dead balls are very important, but they are not the be-all and end-all of a football match, which is the impression we got from him."
Wilkinson talks set-pieces with Rio


Ferdinand, unlike Gerrard who chose to praise Wilkinson, is forthright in his views, and shows no let up in his condemnation of Wilkinson's methods.

"The morning of the match, Wilkinson got everyone in a great mood by making us stand outside the Burnham Beeches Hotel in some field, in what felt like a temperature of about minus five, soing set-pieces for 45 minutes.

"I was the youngster and did what I was told, but the senior players like (Tony) Adams and (Alan) Shearer were looking at each other as if to say, 'F****** Hell, what's going on here!'

"Then we go out and get beaten 2-0."

Wilkinson didn't get the job full-time, that went to Kevin Keegan, to the relief of then West Ham United prodigy Ferdinand who said : "It was like being in the army, I couldn't see the team progressing."

Wilkinson was to haunt Ferdinand once more, when Keegan quit following the humiliating defeat to Germany in the final ever game at the Old Wembley. The former Leeds United manager again took temporary charge, ahead of the qualifier with Finland.

Mendes... Former "hot" kid
Ferdiand said: "I was beginning to wonder if it was a sign that my England career had finished at the age of 21.

"But hallelujah, Wilkinson lasted for only one game."

Another player with Notts connections is mentioned in Ferdinand's book, current striker Junior Mendes.

Ferdinand was playing for West Ham in a small youth competition final against Chelsea and said of the striker: "We were up against some of the best young players in the country. A kid called Junior Mendes was playing for Chelsea that night who was a hot player back then. He was at Notts County last I heard."