It probably suits the characters, though. I'm less bothered about naming a team captain. In my view, at both club and (most certainly) country level it should be a case of picking the captain once the team has been selected - usually being a vocal or senior pro from that XI. Fine with that being whoever (albeit the comment about it protecting Neil from his own moaning might not be a million miles from their thinking). Club captain is about setting standards about how we train, how we act, how we interact etc. There's no better person for that role at SAFC than O'Nien from what we can see.
all Jobe needs to do is be half a second quicker on the ball, if he moves it quicker he would improve immediately.
100% mate. It’s not a quick fix to train micro movement into a frame that size but he will get it, if not then the solution is to develop him as a DM. He’s still a kid and one way or other he will develop into a proper player over next year or 2.
Just a sign of how inexperienced the squad is though. People will rightly point out some of these lads seem vocal but your leadership group being made up of lads between the ages of 23-18 is a bit mad. We played Newcastle and it was men v boys, none of them laid a glove on them. Two seasons of football isn’t “experienced” imo. If that’s experience then what do you call 10 seasons? Talking a good game in 5 minute videos posted by the club pissing about in training is totally different to being a leader on the pitch and barking what’s necessary at players. Most of the blame will go to Beale/Dodds for last season but if these lads are apparent leaders where was that leadership last season?
Fully agreeing with the comments about Jobe moving the ball faster, if he can accomplish this then we will have a very good player and attacking unit, plus he has the ability to still slow things down and protect possession when its called for.
For balance and an alternate opinion, Jobe might be in the leadership group to represent the young players. Help give them a voice.
I’m probably the furthest thing from a gammon you’ll ever find but I do find it funny how we now have team and club captains as well as leadership groups now, like how and why did that come around? Haha
It's a common thing across all sports these days. Enhances inclusivity and team spirit. Also puts some ownership onto players other than the captain who can't do it all. No doubt some generations will see it as lefty or woke, but team games should be played by the whole team, including taking responsibility on the pitch.
Depends what he is like in training and the dressing room, the club see that every day so must think he has plenty to offer
I think a lot of it comes down to us not having others available though. Can you imagine City/Arsenal having an 18 year old in their leadership group? When there’s very little to choose from I think that makes it easier and I do think it’s a bit of a token gesture personally but I’m a miserable twat.
I think leadership group just implies training group and social responsibilities, in the past these were all on the club captain, collecting money, organising nights out etc Luke O'Nien will lead on the pitch whether he has the armband or not, it's just that now he can get Dan Ballard to collect the money or things along those lines.
All makes sense now. Jobe is just the person who organises the social activities for those who can't get into Under 21 clubs.
He played with Catts didn’t he so would be surprised like, not saying he didn’t tho got no idea! I think he was at Liverpool a fair few years before they made him captain
Boro have signed Hamilton from city - deal of the season that - also said they arent finished They have to be one of the favorites this season