The complete farce that is Leadbitter's captaincy has got me thinking. Now I'm fairly certain that we'd all list Mick Mills as Town's greatest-ever captain. But who else would be up there? And has there ever been a more inept Ipswich Town captain than the present incumbent?
Think Leadbitter is taking a lot of criticism of his captaincy, because of the general malaise at the club, if his general play had started well, this question would never had arisen, he has had an awful start to the season, nothing to do with his captaincy. Mick Mills was a good captain, but he also used to be a very fine player. Think far too much is made of captaincy in modern day football, its not really an important issue, like say in cricket, in fact I would favour a system where the captaincy is changed on a regular basis throughout the season, as there should be eleven captains on the pitch.
truth seeker does have a point regarding Leadbitter, he is turning into the scapegoat for our poor start, although far from blameless he is not the only one at fault, players or management.! The choice of captain for me is critical. The captain is someone who can pull everyone together when things get rough out there, you would not send a ship out to sea without one would you. He needs to be vocal and lead by example giving 100% every time. Other good captains; Mills is the obvious but always thought Matt Holland did well for us, may not have been the most skilful player but he certainly never shirked his responsibilities on or off the field of play.
I think a captain is so important it's worth signing someone on the basis that they'll bring that to the side. You don't need eleven captains - not everyone is loud - some players will be shy characters but it doesn't mean they aren't great footballers. We have seen what the lack of a good captain has done to Arsenal. They have often played like headless chickens and you can pinpoint the start of their problems to when Gallas sulked at Birmingham's penalty.
I think as supporters i think we should try and support a player that is clearly having a tough time, it does appear that after three years being a first team fixture that suddenly a few fans have decided he is ****, i admit he has not started the season very well but who in the team has, i think some people need to take a long hard look at themselves. Supporters-support Players-play Managers-manage Coaches-take players and fans to away games(sometimes for free).
Micky Mills is without doubt our greatest ever captain and I say that despite Andy Nelson captaining the immortal 1961-62 league winning side! I had the pleasure of watching Millsy and the great Robson teams and he was the epitome of what Ipswich Town was all about. He was a true gentleman off the pitch and I remember him signing my Panini sticker album circa 1979! 591 Senior appearances and the most sucessful captain in our history plkus 80 odd England caps and captain of the England side during the World Cup 1982. Millsy was at a book signing at the club shop on Saturday and we had a few words and I introduced him to my 13 year old son. He was happy to sign programmes and we had our picture taken with the great man. Micky Mills you will forever be a Town Legend!
Guys Leadbitter has been on a downward spiral for a couple of seasons now. The question should realy be does he deserve a place in that starting line up let alone be regarded as the captain!
Actually I think he's got much worse as a result of the captaincy. On his day he can pick out a good pass, although on a bad day he's a liability. Take the captaincy off him and put him behind Andrews, Bowyer, Bullard, Hyam and my next door neighbour's four year old for a CM spot, job done
Make Andrews or Kennedy captain, drop Leadbitter to the bench for a while and only play him if it's an emergency. I think he's a decent player who's just started absolutely terribly, and being as we're not selling him (not until January at any rate) we may as well try and help him find his first season form. He's not the worst player in the world, but captaincy has seriously affected his performances.
Andrews for me would be a good captain....but not whilst a loanee. Kennedy probably wont get in the 1st 11 once all players are fully fit, although I like the fact he is extremely vocal on the pitch. Not sure if Jimmy or Bowyer are the best role models for that responsibility. That really does not leave us with the greatest of choices, maybe once Inge gets fit.?
As far as I know Andrews will probably make the switch permanent in January, so if that's the plan then even if he doesn't, why not?
Holland would be the best captain in my years of going. Cant remember a worse captain than Leadbitter or a worse freekick/ corner taker or a poorer 1.7m player really. He's a useless git. Always has been, always will be.
I don't think leady is being made the scapegoat. I can't say for sure as I haven't been to a match yet this season but it seems to me that people who do go can see that he is just not putting the effort in or brings anything to the team currently. If that is the case then he definitely shouldn't be captain. It sounds to me that his bad days well outweigh his good ones.
Captains dont necessarily need to be vocal. Beckham as England captain (whether you agree with it or not) is an example. For me Matty Holland takes some beating, met him on my 13th Birthday and when I was mascot and the guy is a true gentleman and his work rate and passion for the game and the club was the reason he was great because regardless of the situation he would be giving 100% With regards to Leadbitter he clearly has started the season poorly but in defence of PJ looking at our team who would be considered captaincy material out of the regular starters? Delaney... No chance. Edwards... Not really, especially as he is still learning a new position Bowyer.... Only other option Kennedy... Injury prone, not a name that makes the top of the team sheet Leadbitter.... Best of a bad bunch and has been with the club for 3 years, having the captains armband on the odd occasion. Therefore PJ's hand was almost forced. As for the new guys coming in I cant see them being Captain material especially loan players (I cant think of any club that has had a loan player captain, and the thought of it makes me quite annoyed) We'll have to put up with Leadbitter, or like others have suggested rotate it somewhat until we have a better understanding of who's the mopst adaptable. I seem to remember GMac being absolute toot when he first came and was given the armband, Leadbitter may come good in the end.
King of Portman Rd, I agree. I think Jewell appointed Leadbitter Captain because he has been at the club longer than this just season and is probably the only player in Jewell's long term plans in the 1st team who was here this summer. I think maybe in the future Andrews definitely seems like Captain material but atm he is a loan player and has only just come to Town. I think he was very short of choices of who to appoint as captain and Leadbitter seemed like the only one really, although he is not really captain material.
