Too much time between the last match and the next sets one thinking. Like everyone else, I've watched the team performances since Pochettino has been brought in, and his appointment has happened to coincide with injuries to Adam Lallana and Jose Fonte, the team and vice Captains. In their absence, Lambert has had the armband, and looking over the recent matches, on Saints Player [filling that Saints time, you understand], he has done a superb job. He's calling/roaring on his teammates to keep up their efforts; he's running the show for the full 90 minutes, and leading by example. Much as I like Adam Lallana, because I so love his outrageous skill as a Saints player, and much as I respect Jose Fonte, for being a leader and Saints best central defender, I do love the fact that not only is Rickie still the talisman player at SFC, he's also turning out to be the natural leader too. I know most of the squad are equipped to be Captains, and in a Continental style led club, the choice of Captain is not as significant as it is in a thoroughly English style club, but I say leave it to Rickie. No disrespect to Adam or Jose, but Rickie fits that armband so well. If Pochettino decides to keep Rickie on as Captain, when Adam returns fully-fit, then Adam should not be disappointed. He'll get it back one day, of that I'm sure. In the midterm, Rickie just keeps on getting better and better. And here's to his 100th goal.
I agree . No disrespect what so ever to Adam or Jose , but Rickie is a fantastic leader , really rallys the troops IMHO .
Pochettino said of the captain selection in a recent interview that the group would decide and a natural leaders would emerge. I don't place much emphasis on the role of captain personally. Players will either respect a fellow player or they won't, but I can see how being made captain can help/hinder the individual appointed.
Poch was vague when asked about the captaincy (at least I think he was vague, perhaps it was the interpreter). He said leaders appear from any group and he named Rickie, Lallana and Fonte. These are leaders in their own areas, he added. On another occasion (talking about how amazed he was that Rickie hadn't played at the highest level) he said Rickie had everything including character. On top of that, I think the whole team looks to Rickie not only as a striker but as a player with a huge impact on the game. As they said on MOTD2, he occupies 2 centre halves. He is still the talisman of the team and would be a respected Captain.
The only thing he and Holt have in common! I can tell that Rickie is really proud to captain Saints and has been doing a great job motivating the players. I noticed when Lalllana came on on Saturday he was also directing players and instructing them.
I don't think it matters. It gives Rickie a licence to talk to the referee a bit more, that's it really. Fonte will still marshall the defence (when he's playing) and Lallana will still inspire from midfield, you don't have to wear the armband to have the respect of your teammates.
Best if the captain is a centre back of defensive midfielder, as he can see the whole pitch in front of him. Why not Spider ?
If that's the case, surely the keeper should be captain! I don't believe that. The captain should be the player who will have the biggest influence on the players, someone who the rest of the squad look up to.
Natural leaders will lead anyway, regardless of whether they are given official sanction, Is Rickie going to stand there thinking "umm, the lads need a bit of encouragement...I'd better not say anything because I'm not captian! Is he heck as like! Besides some minor duties tossing coins etc and liasing with the ref, Captain of a football team is largely an honory position. I think that the captain should stand as the best possible embodiment of the Ethos of the club, a person for whom all the club, but especially the younger players and acadamy, look up and aspire too. You should look at the captain and say, yes thats what our club uis all about! I think both Adam and Rickie fulfill this role admirably although both for different reasons.
Agree, keep Rickie as captain It brings out the best in his game He commands respect from the players and officials. He is very quick to approach the ref to make his point or ask questions about a decision and does so in a respectful manor which will go down well with the officially in the long run
You have to have 11 vocal organisers all over the field to make sure all passages of play whether in defending, build up play or attacking, that your movement and awareness is second nature and you become a very good team. But you must have a leader and in my opinion a role model and someone you would follow into any battle. Ricky Lambert is that man.
If I was in a football team and saw Rickie Lambert standing at the head of the team as we marched out, my confidence would be high.
He has experience being captain as he was captain at Bristol Rovers for a period of time and was a natrual leader. We new when he was with us that he could make it in the Prem for the right team and we were not wrong. Yet when he was with us before joining the Saints, so many thought he wouldnt even make it in the Championship. Yet in his 1st season in this league he scored for fun and won player of the season. How he hasnt had a chance for England I will never know. He is good enough.
