HUNGER STRIKES

Last updated : 30 July 2003 By Editor

Rio Ferdinand has put last season's title behind him and he's ready to aim for the top again. It looks like the attitude of some senior reds might actually have had an affect on him.

'You look around at the number of players at this club who have won so many trophies in their careers and you see the hunger for success is still as strong as when they were 18,' .

'You can't help but be impressed by that attitude and I feel exactly the same way. To win the championship was fantastic, especially when you consider how far we were behind at one stage, but it means nothing to me now.

'We have to put it in the past and look forward because the next goal is to try and win it again.'

And he also wants to improve his own game.

'I am always thinking about my performance levels and I know at this stage of my career I need to keep improving.

'I have set myself high standards and if I am to become the player I want to be that improvement has to be across every aspect of my game. I won't be satisfied until I have achieved it.'

Surely the first step is to keep off the treatment table!