What makes a good Captain?

[Blue Cheese]

I'm sat listening to TalkSport and they are absolutely slating Mikel Arteta being named as the Arsenal Captain for the forthcoming season.

They are stating Aaron Ramsey should be Captain, the reason, because he's well liked.

I haven't got a care in the world about who Arsenal appoint as Captain but surely it should be about Leadership and Respect not who is the nicest guy?

Being a good Leader and being a nice guy are not always a good combination in the sporting arena.

Thoughts chaps?

 

[Azzurri]

Leads by example, well liked and 'one of the boys' as well as an authority figure.

We really don't know what most footballers are like, as much as most people like to guess, so it's hard to tell.

 

[Blue Cheese]

Leads by example, well liked and 'one of the boys' as well as an authority figure.

We really don't know what most footballers are like, as much as most people like to guess, so it's hard to tell.

Exactly, that's what I'm getting at. The manager and team mates knows the character,Leadership and fortitude of a player. They are what makes a Captain. Not who is the best or most liked guy. We get over picking the best player for Captain at junior level don't we?

 

[SerenityNigh]

I have my preferences for what works, but there really are a lot of ways to make it work. Some dressing rooms have an extremely different environment and need a "well-liked" player; see also LVG dithering between Rooney and RVP for Captain of that squad. Not sure I'd have either. Certainly there's a different ethos in the United and Arsenal squad, and it may require a different sort of Captain.

It all gets sorted from the top down, regardless; the choice of Captain may have as much to do with the manager's style as the squad personality.

 

[Blue Cheese]

I have my preferences for what works, but there really are a lot of ways to make it work. Some dressing rooms have an extremely different environment and need a "well-liked" player; see also LVG dithering between Rooney and RVP for Captain of that squad. Not sure I'd have either. Certainly there's a different ethos in the United and Arsenal squad, and it may require a different sort of Captain.

It all gets sorted from the top down, regardless; the choice of Captain may have as much to do with the manager's style as the squad personality.

You make good points. A captain is a Leader, that doesn't always equate to being the best player. I reckon the opposite in fact. The best players are selfish, especially when young. That's not to say all great players are rubbish Captains.

My point is you can't discount anybody in your squad for the captaincy because certain character traits are needed and being the most skill full isn't one of them.

 

[ScouseBlueBoy]

A big gob and the ability to point with authority.

 

[toffee matt]

The ability not to slip over at crucial moments

 

[Blue Cheese]

A big gob and the ability to point with authority.

Linkin Park aren't included mate sorry, talking sport here

 

[Azzurri]

You make good points. A captain is a Leader, that doesn't always equate to being the best player. I reckon the opposite in fact. The best players are selfish, especially when young. That's not to say all great players are rubbish Captains.

My point is you can't discount anybody in your squad for the captaincy because certain character traits are needed and being the most skill full isn't one of them.

Agreed. I do think a captain's got to be one of your better players, though. If not you'd get players thinking 'why are you telling me what to do, you're cack'.

 

[Blue Cheese]

The ability not to slip over at crucial moments

Amusing but a tad over played now. We go again...

 

[Blue Cheese]

Agreed. I do think a captain's got to be one of your better players, though. If not you'd get players thinking 'why are you telling me what to do, you're cack'.

I suppose that depends on how much respect you have for your Captain. A 19yr old who obviously is going to be a lot better than their captain can still learn off them and be taught the finer aspects of the game.

A player with skill might not read the game as others, might not be able to defend or break up attacks as well as others but will get all the plaudits for doing all the fancy things and scoring or assisting goals.

 

[Kurt.]

Someone who can drive a ship.

 

[toffee matt]

We over empathise the roll of a captain.

In most European countries they just give the job to the most experienced player.

You should have more than one leader on the pitch

 

[Blue Cheese]

Someone who can drive a ship.

Costa Concordia disagrees with this

 

[Azzurri]

I suppose that depends on how much respect you have for your Captain. A 19yr old who obviously is going to be a lot better than their captain can still learn off them and be taught the finer aspects of the game.

A player with skill might not read the game as others, might not be able to defend or break up attacks as well as others but will get all the plaudits for doing all the fancy things and scoring or assisting goals.

Aye but that's all part of being a good player isn't it?

What I mean is imagine being Leighton Baines and listening to Phil Neville tell you how to float a ball down the line.