But that's exactly it; we didn't know what was happening. We (incl the management) were all expecting him to leave. There was literally no-one with their future secured for the season who was captain material, that was the problem.
The fact that Adarma was captain says it all about the lack of leadership in that squad; was he really captain material? We all said it at the time.
I don’t really gaf who is captain and I would be surprised if the players really cared either. They are there to speak to the ref and do a bit more media stuff but that’s about it. I highly doubt players are looking to the captain for leadership etc
Well we didn’t know but the club might have had an idea in August how likely it was that he was leaving. Bednarek would’ve been another choice I don’t recall anyone saying Stephens was a good choice tbh. Mainly because he wouldn’t be in most people’s starting 11
That's not really the argument we're having here is it? I'm in 2 minds about it, personally. He did lead by example, you are correct, but Arma isn't exactly a vocal typical captain type, is my point.
Whereas Stephens is obviously too vocal and can't keep his trap shut when that would be the better option!
My argument is that making Jack the captain has made the team weaker which most fans would agree with.
Maybe now we're promoted and have better options it's an easy thing to say with hindsight, but at the time he was a shoe-in for it with all the uncertainty of that summer ... Very rarely, however, do you strip your captain of the captaincy just because he's no longer a 1st-choice or have better options; perhaps we should go back to the Kelvin/Hammond route once again, with an on-field captain and a club captain.
I would give Bednarek a shot at captain as I have seen him having plenty to say in the pre-match huddles and seems to have matured into a steady presence.
The debate around whether he should be captain is fair - and one for the club to decide. I am saying it would be daft for him to apologise because: 1. it changes absolutely nothing. 2. It is part of football. Always has been and always will be. 3, I'd rather players make amends on the pitch where it makes a difference rather than a meaningless PR post on instagram. Would anyone calling for an apology genuinely read an apology on instagram and think "ah, that is much better. All is forgiven."?
Making an apology is showing an understanding of what you have done that has upset others. It’s also shows that you may have the capacity to learn from your mistakes. It’s common decency to apologise for wrongdoings, irrespective of whether or not it appeases everyone.
You might as well ask 'why does anyone apologise for anything ever?', if an apology in itself doesn't change anything. But of course it does. For a start it would show the fans that the players/staff do actually consider us and respect us. Seeing as the fans are already pissed off with Russell Martin's sarcastic hand-clapping and arrogant interviews, it's not a great look for them to continuously ignore the fans. I'd go as far as saying it creates a divide between the fans and club. And this at a time when the club really needs to be getting the fans on board because protests and anti-Russ/SR songs are not far off. It might be a meaningless gesture to you, but a lot of fans would appreciate it. As for the captain debate, I admit I was happy enough with Stephens being selected last season. But I'd say it needs to be handed over to someone else now because Stephens' behaviour has been shameful and he clearly isn't handling the pressure of Premier League football these days.
