The Captaincy

[Patrick]

Now I know its all Hughes fault and dont worry men I will have him shot, shot you hear if that man doesnt buck his idea up PDQ starting tonight - so at ease chaps raaa

But I have often thought that we have lacked a great leader - in recent times Distin, Dunne and now Toure have all equally failed to gain great acclaim for their ability to turn games round from the front - perhaps not surprisingly as they are all central defenders eh - but you know what I mean.

Now I know Toure hasnt had a decent crack at the whip but he still doesnt strike me as the man who could lead us to hell and back week in week out.

Perhaps the role of captain doesnt have as much meaning now that the game has so many primadonnas and egos about or perhaps thats why it should mean more

Personally I would like a great midfield general - like hamann at his prime

One of the issues is that so many of our players dont get on the teamsheet every week - id rule out given only for his position as goalie - but then who else if not toure

If we are going to spend any money this january a natural captain would be high on my list - a man who can pull an extra 10% out of the squad

[irblinx]

I'd like to see Toure's bro here but I'm not sure that he fits the bill as a leader, I agree that we do lack that inspirational type of figure though. There aren't that many in the game nowadays, Gerrard and maybe Terry are the only ones that spring to mind in the PL.

First on the list in January should be a really world class RB

[CityFanFromRome]

I see the captain not only as someone who is a natural leader, someone who can lead by example and, in a way, take the team "on his shoulders" and lead it to victory in a difficult situation, or at least try to do that. I see the captain as all that but also as a symbol of the club, someone who embodies the club, in a way. Maldini for Milan, for example, or Del Piero for Juventus, or Puyol for Barca, Raul for Real Madrid, Totti for Roma, these are the first examples that come to my mind of true, great captains in the sense I see it.

The problem now with this view is that with the amount of change we have made in recent times, I don't see anyone who can truly embody the club within our ranks, apart for Ireland, but talented as he is, does he have the charisma needed for the role?

[MARKMAKAVELI]

Great post cityfanfromrome, my sentiments exactly. On a side note, does anyone remember Jamie Pollock's first game for us at Maine Road, the way he was shoutin an screamin all match. Literally 90mins of shoutin at everyone, was piss funny!

[sandman]

Given has the most premiership experience, he is deserving of his shirt, he has a good grasp of English and can make a lot of noise when he wants to, I cant think of anyone more appropriate.

[Chinners]

When he plays, I'd give it to Bellers

[john@staustell]

Great post cityfanfromrome, my sentiments exactly. On a side note, does anyone remember Jamie Pollock's first game for us at Maine Road, the way he was shoutin an screamin all match. Literally 90mins of shoutin at everyone, was piss funny!

Unfortunately he goes down in Maine Road legend for only one reason - the best own goal of all time IMHO.

[Alex Sapphire]

Your Captain needs a number of qualities:
lead by example
in the team
articulate
in a position to see the game unfold

GK's are not often Captains but Given does tick all these boxes.
Barry should

Nedum will make someone a great captain one day and I hope that's us, and if it's not putting a Hex on him, England.

[Blue2]

Agree Patrick , thats why the signing of Terry would have been so important. Of the current squad , I dont see a natural leader.

[dazby]

Shay is the man. Being captain would make all of his saves that more significant.

[Scatman]

Bit pointless I know but wouldn't it have been great if Andy Morrison was 25 now, and a much better footballer than he ever was. He'd be my captain then, no questions asked.

[Original Dub]

Toure is the right man for the job alright, I've no doubt that.

Its all part of the same problem that we haven't clicked yet (if we ever fucking do!)... you'll see as soon as we get to winning ways the likes of Toure will galvanise the team when we're under pressure.

Captain of the team is all well and good but there has to be a TEAM first and foremeost because one man can lead an organised unit that is used to working together, but he can't do it all himself.

The answer doesn't lie with one player, but pretty much all of them.

I'd stick with Toure and if Ireland gets back to the playing every week like he did last season, I'd give it to him asap.

[Fidel Castro]

Can't believe so many people think Given would make a good captain. He's a great shot stopper but his communication is pretty poor.

[Mr Miyagi]

Toure is the right man for the job alright, I've no doubt that.

Its all part of the same problem that we haven't clicked yet (if we ever fucking do!)... you'll see as soon as we get to winning ways the likes of Toure will galvanise the team when we're under pressure.

Captain of the team is all well and good but there has to be a TEAM first and foremeost because one man can lead an organised unit that is used to working together, but he can't do it all himself.

The answer doesn't lie with one player, but pretty much all of them.

I'd stick with Toure and if Ireland gets back to the playing every week like he did last season, I'd give it to him asap.

I'm going to disagree with this one. Personally I think Hughes had made a blunder by bringing Toure in and making him captain straightaway. I think he is lucky to even be in the team at the moment. If he really was captain material then Wenger would have made him captain years ago...

[Fidel Castro]

Toure is the right man for the job alright, I've no doubt that.

Its all part of the same problem that we haven't clicked yet (if we ever fucking do!)... you'll see as soon as we get to winning ways the likes of Toure will galvanise the team when we're under pressure.

Captain of the team is all well and good but there has to be a TEAM first and foremeost because one man can lead an organised unit that is used to working together, but he can't do it all himself.

The answer doesn't lie with one player, but pretty much all of them.

I'd stick with Toure and if Ireland gets back to the playing every week like he did last season, I'd give it to him asap.

I'm going to disagree with this one. Personally I think Hughes had made a blunder by bringing Toure in and making him captain straightaway. I think he is lucky to even be in the team at the moment. If he really was captain material then Wenger would have made him captain years ago...

Wenger thinks Robin the Raper is captain material though. A soft, cheating, cry baby twat as captain? Yeah right...

[xavi6]

Shay is the man. Being captain would make all of his saves that more significant.

Shay doesn't want to be captain. He turned down the chance to be Ireland skipper before Robbie Keane got the job. He was favourite for the gig when Staunton took over but said he'd prefer not to be.