John Terry shouldn't have lost the armband, blasts Peter Shilton

20 March 2011 13:32
Peter Shilton has backed Fabio Capello's decision to reinstate John Terry as England captain, claiming the Chelsea defender should never have lost the job in the first place. [LNB]Capello controversially reinstated Terry on Saturday night, attracting huge criticism for the manner in which he deposed Rio Ferdinand. [LNB] Look who's back: Terry has been reinstated as England captain by Capello [LNB]While saying he felt 'sorry' for Ferdinand, Shilton insisted it was the right move. [LNB]'Iwas always a supporter of John Terry as England captain, and I don'tthink he should have lost the job in the first place,' Shilton - whocaptained England 14 times among his record 125 caps - told Radio FiveLive's Sportsweek. [LNB]Terry lost the captaincy last year inthe wake of allegations of an affair with the ex-partner of his formerChelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge. [LNB]'Every player in the England squad for one reason or another has had the press have a go at them,' Shilton added. [LNB] Making his point: Shilton is England's most capped player [LNB]'Not to condone what John Terry has done on occasion, but he hasn't broken any laws. [LNB]'Youwant the best on the pitch and John Terry has always been known as anatural leader, someone who would run through a brick wall to stop agoal going in, then in the next minute he's up the other end scoringthe winner and that's what you want in a captain. [LNB]'I feel sorry for Rio but I would put him in front of Rio as a captain. 'You've got to make tough decisions and if Capello feels he wants John Terry that's what he should do.' [LNB]Wales manager Gary Speed, whose first competitive game in charge will be against England next weekend, said he does not expect anything to change about Terry's game. [LNB] Out in the cold: Shilton admits he feels 'sorry' for Ferdinand [LNB]'It's not my job to comment on (the decision), but John Terry would not change his game whether or not he had the armband,' he said. [LNB]However, having been given a second chance, Speed expects Terry to ensure there are no further distractions that could cost him the armband again. [LNB]'Representing your country as captain was a job I was fortunate enough to do,' said the former Wales skipper. [LNB]'You're very honoured to walk on to the pitch as captain and that's a feeling that never went away, never diluted. "It's very, very special and comes with a responsibility on and off the pitch. It's a great honour and one people need to keep hold of.'[LNB]Wales will be second favourites in Cardiff, but Speed warned England they will face a fight. [LNB]'We're going to give it a good shot,' he said. 'Obviously it's my first game so there's a lot of work to be done. But hopefully it's the first step on a ladder to reach the ultimate goal of qualification. [LNB]'The fact that it's England makes it a huge game and one we're desperate to do well in.' [LNB]  Kenny Dalglish: If Terry was wrong man a year ago, why is he right now? Patrick Collins: Feeble Fabio takes the easy way out on TerryEngland run out of respect for Fabio: Squad simply can't believe it as Terry made captainCapello faces players' fury: Rio leads stars' anger as Terry back as England captain Explore more:People: Gary Speed, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Peter Shilton, Fabio Capello, Wayne Bridge Places: Cardiff, United Kingdom, Wales

Source: Daily_Mail