Seems that the rumour places have cottoned onto this and are now just linking us and Leeds to look a bit more believable. Then chuck in Everton or Forest as well.
We shouldn't take what footballers say too seriously, they play upto the fanbase who will gladly lap up all the hyperbole about biggest clubs or being home etc we do it as well mind, it's the nature of modern football.
If we were to sign Jordan Henderson there’s a possible conflict with Dan Neil. People say he’s good at organising and shouting at players to get them doing the right thing and generally controlling the players. Where would that leave Captain Neil. Would they make Henderson captain because of his vast experience and on field management. Neil wouldn’t like that. If Henderson is made captain would he play every game…I think not so would we have 2 captains? If Neil stays as captain would Henderson do whatever Neil tells him to do on the field if he thinks it’s wrong? If Henderson joins us I will support him but I think it would be better not to sign him. Maybe as player coach but Hendo probably wouldn’t want that.
Whilst links to possible targets, and of course sales will only intensify as the transfer window rolls on over the next couple of months, I feel we should reflect on previous transfer windows under the current leadership at the club. At no stage have they made wholesale changes ro the first team squad, they have sold and bought well. They have increased value exponentially and done this whilst promoting a young squad. As a club we have not sold more than 2 or 3 players in any window and we have gradually brought in players to strengthen the squad. I do not see that changing drastically now, the only difference is that I think our first team squad may grow by 1 or 2 more players and some fringe squad players may go out on loan. I do not expect more than 1 or 2 more sales and think we will probably be looking at about 3 or 4 first team squad additions and maybe a couple more young talents to nurture as well. We should also not forget about the players brought in last season as historically over the last few years they have been more impactfull after 6 to 12 months at the club. And from what I have been told Abdullahi may well have a bigger impact than most may be expecting.
Neil, O’Nien and Henderson would be the “leadership group” with Neil still captain. O’Nien always seemed to be the more vocal one anyway, Henderson will just get involved and they’ll all find their own roles and responsibilities.
England boss Thomas Tuchel speaking to Talksport: On Jordan Henderson's inclusion: "He's lean, I'm sure he's still there on a professional level. He brings players together. "We see better versions of players when Jordan Henderson is in camp than when he is not in camp."
Why not just make the one with the leadership skills the captain..? Made no sense to me taking it off O’nien.
I believe the official captain has other responsibilities regarding player meetings and O'Nien was willing to relinquish those duties.
Do you really think so though mate? Because when I watch him on the pitch, I don’t. Seems like it was a sweetener to try and get him to sign a new contract but I may be wrong.
But it's been commented on by Dodds and others that Neil has great tactic knowledge and understanding and he is the main person implementing that on the pitch for the manager. So he 100% is leading. Just cause he's not doing a Kevin Ball style captains job doesn't mean he's not a leader. If we have O'Nien being the vocal motivator and Neil making sure everyone is sticking to the planned tactics then surely that is the best of both worlds?