For quite some time now, I have lamented the performance of a string of captains we've appointed. Not their footballing performances, mind you, but their on-field performance as a captain. What do I mean by this? Well, my image of the perfect Captain is Billy Bremner. Difficult to fault him in any respect (ok, perhaps the ***s!). Looked after his players - encouraging, cajoling, protecting, demanding - you name it, the whole gamut. Heaven help a referee that made a dodgy decision against Leeds. Bremner would be snarling in his face. He knew that there was little chance in getting a decision changed, but the most important thing he knew is that he may well have influenced the next borderline decision the ref had to make. He was the Don personified on the field of play. So what do our captains do on the field of play these days. Anyone ever noticed our captains speak to the ref? I struggle to remember. Anyone see constant encouragement etc. being delivered to individual members of our team? Again, I struggle to remember. Apart from wearing an armband for some reason, I don't see our captains doing a great deal for us. Am I deluded, or perhaps expecting too much? Hopefully I'm simply as blind as a ref & have failed to notice outstanding work from them all. Sadly, I think not. Please convince me I'm wrong .....
Nah captains dont actually do much nowadays. i prefer CMs as captains as they are right in the thick of it so should be able to influence team mates and the ref more
I disagree Logi, I do think there are good captains these days. I think Steven Gerrard is quite a good captain, even when he doesn't have the armband. I think Naylor did quite a good job for leeds to be honest but since then we haven't had a good one Warnock seems to appoint a player captain depending on what the transfer state of the player is rather than who is a good captain. The only reason Snoddy was captain is because he wanted to leave and Colin wanted him to stay. I wouldn't mind betting part of the contract negotiations with Peltier resulted in him being the captain because I wouldn't say he's a particularly good one although I have only seen him play in a leeds shirt once. When we buy players we should realise that we need to sign a captain rather than sign a group of players in the hope that one of them has what it takes.
Gerrard is/was just an inspirational player for his team. Never really shouted or gave out loads of instructions Agree regarding warnock though. seems he uses captaincy as a sweetner for certain players (snoddy/taarabt?) He likes most of his team to try and act as captains even when they dont have the armband
Not sure about that. I often see Gerrard trying to motivate his team and shouting instructions, talking to the ref. Not only that he leads by inspiration on the pitch. I think that is what most captains should aspire to. My point is more being anyway that you still do get good captains about
Sod Gerrard. Let's talk about Leeds captains! I honestly believe we've got a problem that needs rectified.
No-one got any comments to make? This is a subject really close to my heart. I want a proper captain for Leeds!
Wrong? No, I don't think you are on most points. I wouldn't want a captain who got in the ref's face (I think that players like that should be sent-off), but a good motivator on the pitch is worth his weight in gold. You never know, we might have one, but he just hasn't thrust himself into the limelight yet (wishful thinking hat on).
Personally I think this country has ridiculously high expectations of captains, no other country seems to make as big a deal of it as we do. Obviously there are quiet players and louder players, but I don't necessarily think one makes a better captain than the other. If there is a quiet player who is struggling a bit, or a slightly more arrogant player having an off day, why should it be the captain's responsibility to speak to them? I'd be happy if any of the players went over and had a word with them. The only criteria I have for captains is consistance and not a goalkeeper. That said, Casillas is the spanish captain and has led them to 3 successive trophies...so what do I know
