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Depending on whether we knew he was staying or not I probably would’ve given it to KWP

But that's exactly it; we didn't know what was happening. We (incl the management) were all expecting him to leave.

There was literally no-one with their future secured for the season who was captain material, that was the problem.
 
Downes is the obvious choice after he was signed and once it was clear that Bedders and THB were the best partnership. Adarma was captain during most of the 25 match unbeaten run iirc.

The fact that Adarma was captain says it all about the lack of leadership in that squad; was he really captain material? We all said it at the time.
 
I don’t really gaf who is captain and I would be surprised if the players really cared either. They are there to speak to the ref and do a bit more media stuff but that’s about it. I highly doubt players are looking to the captain for leadership etc
 
But that's exactly it; we didn't know what was happening. We (incl the management) were all expecting him to leave.

There was literally no-one with their future secured for the season who was captain material, that was the problem.

Well we didn’t know but the club might have had an idea in August how likely it was that he was leaving. Bednarek would’ve been another choice

I don’t recall anyone saying Stephens was a good choice tbh. Mainly because he wouldn’t be in most people’s starting 11
 
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Well we didn’t know but the club might have had an idea in August how likely it was that he was leaving. Bednarek would’ve been another choice

I don’t recall anyone saying Stephens was a good choice tbh. Mainly because he wouldn’t be in most people’s starting 11

I should dig out the Stephens new contract and captaincy thread then <laugh>
 
That's not really the argument we're having here is it?

I'm in 2 minds about it, personally.



He did lead by example, you are correct, but Arma isn't exactly a vocal typical captain type, is my point.
Whereas Stephens is obviously too vocal and can't keep his trap shut when that would be the better option!
 
My argument is that making Jack the captain has made the team weaker which most fans would agree with.

Maybe now we're promoted and have better options it's an easy thing to say with hindsight, but at the time he was a shoe-in for it with all the uncertainty of that summer ...

Very rarely, however, do you strip your captain of the captaincy just because he's no longer a 1st-choice or have better options; perhaps we should go back to the Kelvin/Hammond route once again, with an on-field captain and a club captain.
 
I don’t really gaf who is captain and I would be surprised if the players really cared either. They are there to speak to the ref and do a bit more media stuff but that’s about it. I highly doubt players are looking to the captain for leadership etc

Yeah good teams have more than one leader anyway.
 
It's not just one incident though. It's the verbal abuse of the match offiicals against Man Utd that copped him an extra 2 game ban as well. Plus it's the pure stupidity of this red card. He's not showing he's worthy of being captain. Being suspended for 9 games before Christmas is appalling conduct.
The debate around whether he should be captain is fair - and one for the club to decide. I am saying it would be daft for him to apologise because:
1. it changes absolutely nothing.
2. It is part of football. Always has been and always will be.
3, I'd rather players make amends on the pitch where it makes a difference rather than a meaningless PR post on instagram.

Would anyone calling for an apology genuinely read an apology on instagram and think "ah, that is much better. All is forgiven."?
 
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The debate around whether he should be captain is fair - and one for the club to decide. I am saying it would be daft for him to apologise because:
1. it changes absolutely nothing.
2. It is part of football. Always has been and always will be.
3, I'd rather players make amends on the pitch where it makes a difference rather than a meaningless PR post on instagram.

Would anyone calling for an apology genuinely read an apology on instagram and think "ah, that is much better. All is forgiven."?
Making an apology is showing an understanding of what you have done that has upset others.
It’s also shows that you may have the capacity to learn from your mistakes.
It’s common decency to apologise for wrongdoings, irrespective of whether or not it appeases everyone.
 
The debate around whether he should be captain is fair - and one for the club to decide. I am saying it would be daft for him to apologise because:
1. it changes absolutely nothing.
2. It is part of football. Always has been and always will be.
3, I'd rather players make amends on the pitch where it makes a difference rather than a meaningless PR post on instagram.

Would anyone calling for an apology genuinely read an apology on instagram and think "ah, that is much better. All is forgiven."?

You might as well ask 'why does anyone apologise for anything ever?', if an apology in itself doesn't change anything.

But of course it does. For a start it would show the fans that the players/staff do actually consider us and respect us. Seeing as the fans are already pissed off with Russell Martin's sarcastic hand-clapping and arrogant interviews, it's not a great look for them to continuously ignore the fans. I'd go as far as saying it creates a divide between the fans and club. And this at a time when the club really needs to be getting the fans on board because protests and anti-Russ/SR songs are not far off. It might be a meaningless gesture to you, but a lot of fans would appreciate it.

As for the captain debate, I admit I was happy enough with Stephens being selected last season. But I'd say it needs to be handed over to someone else now because Stephens' behaviour has been shameful and he clearly isn't handling the pressure of Premier League football these days.
 
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