FERDINAND DEFENDS HIS WAGES

Last updated : 25 March 2007 By Editor

More:

"United beat Bolton 4-1 the other day but it wasn't a good night because we conceded a silly goal. Losing games and going out of tournaments is going to be even worse.

"If you want to be successful you've got to be a bad loser, not a good one. I don't understand good losers myself. Whether you wear an England shirt, a United shirt, or a Sunday league shirt everybody is passionate and wants to do well.

"I am a bad loser, the coaches don't like me when we lose. I don't want to talk to anybody and going for meals and stuff gets knocked on the head. I just don't talk. I think a lot players don't like losing. Everybody shows it in different ways.

"In this England team, when we've lost it isn't a good atmosphere around the hotel or on the way back. That tells me that players don't like losing. You see it with the clubs, you shake someone's hand but inside you are burning with rage.

"I think everybody is like that in this squad. Hopefully that is what will set us apart and bring us through to be a successful side.

"But name me a player who doesn't go out and have the pride and desire to do well for his country.

"I think the money is too easy an excuse for people. Yes, we're lucky to be paid lots of money but some American sportsmen get even more and you never hear that accusation levelled against them. And you only hear it against us when things go pear-shaped. But anyone who thinks that players don't care about playing for England or that going out of a big tournament is water off a duck's back, that we just go home and buy a nice car or a house and forget about it, is talking out of their backside."