There's much talk about who will stay, who should leave, and potential player acquisitions. I believe above all of these, the most crucial of these decisions must be the choice of captain. And I have concluded that this most probably needs to come from outside the current squad of players. To this end, I believe we should be scouting potential players that could be brought in possessing the leadership skills to bind the current crop of players - plus those acquired over the summer months - and lead the team on the pitch. Previous experience is key to the role, and on that basis, we would have to accept that it might be a player at the end of his career (a nod to Frank McLintock's appearance at half-time yesterday): Here's my shortlist - accepting that most will be very unlikely (towards the end of the list) - but nonetheless: Hal Robson-Kanu - Reading Mile Jedinak - Crystal Palace Scott Brown - Celtic Mark Wilson - Stoke City Aiden McGeady - Everton James Collins - West Ham United Glen Whelan - Stoke City Michael Dawson - Hull City Peter Crouch - Stoke City Gareth Barry - Everton Andy King - Leicester City Mark Noble - West Ham United Adel Taarabt - Benfica B
If we're going to splash out on old but wise then I would put the money into acquiring bionic legs for Clint Hill. It is no coincidence that our recent purplish patch and subsequent return to familiar form coincided with his return and departure from the starting X1. You're having a laugh about AT of course; even Warnock couldn't make a leader out of him.
You'd have Adel back as team captain? I'd have him back like a shot but not with the armband. And Peter Crouch? Never looked to be the sort of player that inspires confidence although I suppose everybody would look up to him. sorry.
Ned is no leader of men like you Ted...the current squad has an alarming lack of leaders...we need to find two or three of these over the summer?
yeah with so many lesders being released its not good for next season,unless of course jimmy the hoover fills us full of brilliant youngsters like a certain terry venables did.im thinking warren neil ian dawes peter hucker alan macdoald etc etc etc now then we would all fall in love with the mad dutchman as we rip the division apart im hoping he may go back to burtan to come back with a couple of gems
I think John Terry will be our captain when Chelsea lets him go and TF scoops him up for 200 grand a week. After the second game when Terry gets injured and is out for the remaining three years of his contract.
Agree this will be the most important action the club takes - always like the skipper to be in the middle of the park so Jedinak would be perfect or Barry. But these guys aren't going to drop a division to play for us are they? Noble is on the fringe of the England set up.
I think the hole idea of shipping in an instant captain is completely the wrong way to do it. The Captain can't just be someone doing a job. It has to be someone whose heart is for the club, and who will lead by example each and every time they cross the white line. For me, either Henry or Chery fit the bill from our current lot. if it's going to be a new player, I can't see anyone on the list above that in any way inspires me...
I think Joey Barton should be next year's captain. I wouldn't even consider signing Aidan Mc Geady. He is such a frustrating footballer to watch. 90% of the time he delivers absolutely nothing in terms of end product. Think of Hoilett and multiply it by three.
