Bollocks. Our lack of goals this season has been very apparent, losing our joint top scorer and fourth highest assister would be suicide.
There is undoubtedly a need for a leader figure. But who actually wears the armband on matchdays is a complete irrelevance.
That ISTPLT is your opinion and you are very welcome to it. Perhaps you should try reading the views of other top players on the attributes of great club and national captains (start with Bobby Moore - England and West Ham) and the massive stabilising and motivating effect they can have on even the most accomplished of players; but to be far, the only way to really know is to experience it, play with and be influenced by a leader, as it's not something to be taken lightly because they are a rare breed and not to be underestimated. A strange thing is that alot of the best team captains don't necessarily make good managers - the skillsets are different and not necessarily learnt. No disrespect, because I like you open and honest style, but I think this is one of those views that a little time and experience helps to mould.
I don't even need to read all of that because from the first line or so it's obvious you haven't read my short post properly. I'm not saying there's no such thing as a good captain. I'm well aware of the Ashbee types and I agree with you that Koren isn't that man. I reckon Hobbs, Chester, Faye, Bruce and others are better leaders than him (although I remember SB's comments in pre-season about Koren's professionalism and I'm pretty sure that's why he's captain). What I am saying is that the player designated as captain means nothing. Leaders will lead whether they're formally obliged to through the wearing of an armband or not.
It's always best to read the post as assumption often leads to misunderstanding. I understand you to be saying that a club captain can be nominated but there is no need for there to be a designated one on match day, give the band to anyone, more-or-less, as you feel that leaders will rise to the occasion, regardless. I would agree that to some extent you have a valid point, in the absense of a leader another might rise to the challenge (maybe not so strong or with the stated authority of the manager) - but not always as seems to be our problem, but I would also point out that when **** starts happening there is no substitute for having a nominated leader who draws respect and who can focuss the group as well as the individuals. A conversation (or an argument) is created when folk end with question marks or make statements that invite response - believe it or not, it happens on these threads all of the time.
That's the important thing, drawing respect. Not because the manager says 'respect this guy - he has a special armband'. Leaders draw respect themselves. Ashbee was a leader, it wouldn't have mattered if the armband was in the wash one week, he'd have been the same guy and still the same inspirational leader.
Yes, that's right, the skipper can't always be there, but for the majority of the games he is. I am sure many will recall games when the lack of Ash as a skipper was just as debilitatiing as the lack of him as a DM. That is the point some of us are making, we don't have that central plank of a strong leader and skipper - but others may disagree.
It's because so many of our team are young. Hobbs, Chester, Bruce, Meyler and Evans play the roles you'd expect of a skipper and have all the attributes apart from a bit of experience and ability to command respect, which has to be earnt.
