I just think do we really want to keep making the same mistakes, putting too much faith in players too quickly. He stepped up last year for 10 games - suddenly he is a natural captain? I mean I like the lad but ****ing hell we don't half jump straight off the deep end at times without bothering to check if the pool has even been filled up.
You have a point, but it worth at least "testing the water" with Laescelles as captain, ie make him captain for the friendlies and see how he does. His attitude and leadership make him a natural candidate, and at least he has been with the club for a while and knows the team. Mbemba is also young, and I'd rather the captain be English to get over any language barrier. If we buy Cathcart he'd be an option, but I don't like the idea of a new player coming in as captain. Who else is there? Colback is an option , but doesn't seem like a vocal leader in the way Laescelles does. Laescelles has all the attributes - leader, central defender at the heart of the team, vocal and not afraid to speak out; the only issue is his age and experience, but he should at least be give a chance.
When exactly does someone become "ready"? He may be young but he's shown far more leadership than the likes of Taylor ever did. A Captain should have a certain personality as well as experience. Who would you have as captain then?
Certainly not after having 6 good games. I'd go with krul right now but he might leave, so maybe even Colback because although he's crap in the premier league I think he will shine in the fizzy.
For Laecelles it's a combination of being good once he got into the team, demonstrating good leadership skills, and already being experienced in the championship and knowing the division. I hate goalkeepers as captains , a captain needs to be in the thick of things, giving instructions and organising the team, and a keeper can't do that when they're permanently in their own box. Colback is a bit too quiet for me to be captain, he will probably shine in this league yes, but he tends to job go about his job without being noticed, he needs to be much more vocal and more of a leader of he is to be considered. I would have him as vice captain to Laecelles right now.
I wouldn't be making Colback captain. You can't reward ****eness. And he was ****e last season after his promising first season. Tiote would be a natural choice for me if he was committed to staying. He is experienced, knows the game here, and plays in one of two positions I think works as captain. The problem with him is he has long been linked with a departure. In an ideal world I'd like Lascelles as the vice captain.
The problem with Tiote is he's such a liability, is constantly getting booked and sent off and flying into opponents like a bulldozer. A captain needs to lead by example, and it's not in Tiote's nature to calm down and be a controlled leader of the team. We'll get nowhere if our captain is getting sent off and suspended non stop. Also factor in that his injury record isn't great. If Tiote stays, leave him to focus on what he does well, ie hulk smash , don't burden him with the organisation and leadership that comes with captaincy.
I'd rather that than burden someone who has had 10 good games though and at 22 has done very little in the game. Essentially there is no easy solution due to our incompetence in squad building over the last few years. The fact that you are looking at Tiote with his injury/suspension/desire to be away or Lascelles with his inexperience/lack of proven quality/age is damning in itself.
