I suspect that everyone will choose captains of their teams.

Just to make it more interesting, I'd go for Gary Speed because he is a steadying influence in the middle and has bags of experience.

I've always believed that captains should predominantly be midfielders simply because they have access to all areas of the pitch and can influence the game both in defence and in attack. Steven Gerrard, Patrick Viera, Roy Keane, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gary Speed are all recent examples of captains that lead from the middle in the premiership.

When picking a captain, I look at the following attributes:

1) He must be able to command his troops (which is why I would seldom go for goalkeepers. How often do they get upclose with their strikers?). A captain should essentially be an on-field manager. He should be able to read the game and dish out the appropriate instructions to those around him.

2) A captain has to be calm especially in competitive matches. He should always be the first to step into an argument when there is one, to difuse the situation. There's no point in confronting the opposition and getting yourself sent off.

3) A captain must lead by example. When the chips are down, players look to him for motivation and he by playing out of his skin, he can inadvertently inspire those around him.

Based on the above, I'd pick the following captains for each category.

1) Roy Keane
2) John Terry
3) Steven Gerrard

The closest person I've seen to having all 3 traits in recent memory is Alan Shearer, when it comes to the EPL anyway.

Yes and a captain must also stay on the pitch. Please don't bring up his tackle against Haaland again. He admitted that it was deliberate and it was inexcusable. There should be no place for that in football.

Being combatitive is one thing but being an absolute barbarian is another. And it wasn't a post to say that all captains are calm. It was a post to suggest that all captains should be calm. Use their heads and not their fists.

Why are you in the habit of repeating everything I've said? I already said that it should not be brought up again. And I also said that Keane admitted to it, so what's your point? I am over it because I was never under it in the first place. You were the one that brought up the issue of captains having to be combatitive and you cited examples where the respective players were sent of for their unruly behaviour rather than combatitive spirit. I then said, it's important for captains to stay on the pitch. Why the hell are you putting words into my mouth? Did I ever defend Gerrard for making reckless challenges though his wasn't deliberate? Read and then try to comprehend my posts before jumping to conclusions.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Nov 10 2006, 05:32 PM

Thing is I was attacking or defending anyone which is why I said it was better not to cite those examples because it can potentially get everyone started on attacking the players involved. The fact that I was attacked for saying that those were bad examples of what a captain should be surprised me. I for one will not defend any player be it my own, if they commit atrocious acts. Gerrard was reckless during the earlier parts of his careers, no doubt and I personally do not condone such behaviour. I just think it was a case of being overly defensive when there was no need to.

I have great respect for Keane as well which is why he was one of my choices. Just don't like players who are a little too over the top.

The best example has to be Vinnie Jones who was captain for the infamous 'Crazy Gang'. He holds the record for the quickest yellow card in the world. He got booked just 3 seconds into the game! Wimbledon were by far the biggest nutters in the league. You have to read some of their dressing room stories to know what a bunch of retards they were.

Aye he did and that pissed me off as well. His most blatant dive must have been when he went down in the box in an international friendly just before the World Cup Finals, can't remember which team it was against.

Everyone is going for the big names and therefore I thought of giving a special mention to Gary Speed at Bolton. Age is not on his side but he still works tirelessly in midfield for them.

While I do agree that captains should possess at least some fire in their bellies, I don't think they need to be that verbal especially during confrontations. Take Paul Ince for example, he was verbal I'd give him that but there is a reason he's called the guvnor. In the end his mouth was a distruptive influence which led to him being sold by Manchester United, Inter Milan and even Liverpool. I'd much prefer diplomatic captains during confrontations.

Though the topic is on influential captains, we cannot discount the role that co-captains play in a team. While captains are seen as 'Generals' on the park, co-captains play an important 'Drill Sergeant' role, or can assume the role if they wish. Good examples of 'Drill Sergeants' are Jamie Carragher and Roberto Ayala. They do not adorn the armband but that doesn't stop them from barking instructions and lambasting the opposition, refs or even teammates.

What really sticks in my mind is not his headed goal but what he did afterwards. For those of you that remember, he was waving his arms up and down asking the crowd to get behind the team, and also urging his teammates not to let their heads drop and to push on. That is what you call leading by example. Also remember the goals against Olympiacos (where we needed to score one more goal to qualify for the knockout stages of the UCL and our captain duly responded with a 30 yard cracker) and West Ham (PA announcer : "Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be 4 minutes of added time... Andy Gray : "Gerrardddd.... You beauty! Take a bow son, take a bow. That was absolutely top draw. We know that name son".

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 9 2007, 01:56 PM

Contrary to popular belief, a study was done and Liverpool did as well without Stevie when he was out (i.e. same lose-win record). The only difference is when Stevie is on the pitch, the ball is played to him really often making it seem as though he's the only player playing. I can't argue that he has a big impact on the game, but stats don't often lie.

It was in 2005 mate

Good question, did Boa Morte take over the captaincy towards the end of the season? Can't remember. I won't be surprised if Scott Parker gets elected this coming season.

I'm surprised you didn't mention Paul Ince then, he was always in the thick of everything.

You are right, people are focusing more on the physical aspects of a captain;

a) Has verbal diarrhea and can often be seen screaming at the top of his voice as though he was at a rock concert.
b) Acts like a 'tai kor' during confrontations with other players, pointing his finger in their face, asking him how he wants to 'settle'.
c) Goes into every challenge like the opposition player slept with his mother and told the whole world how bad she is in bed, like that nutter, Vinnie Jones (how does one get sent off after only 7 seconds?).

I won't deny the importance of these traits but I believe their mental attributes are more important;

a) Calm - Won't pop a vain when the ref gives a decision against him, proceeding to shower the ref in spit by protesting to him while an inch from his ear, and eventually getting himself sent off. Instead of taking out his mobile phone to call for backup, captains should do all they can to pacify their players so as to not get sent off by giving them and ice cream cone or a lollipop.

b) Intelligence - Can at least spell basic words and thus identify his teammates by the names on the back of their jerseys.

c) Spirit - I'm not suggesting that captains should become alcoholics like Tony Adams. I've always admired army generals that lead the charge, though I have serious doubts over them living a long life. Maybe I've been watching too many movies, but there is nothing more motivating than seeing your leader leading you into battle rather than staying at the back, playing with his PSP while you charge into battle.

d) Determination - Even when playing against a team of 300 Spartans, captains should inspire and motivate their teams to play above themselves. To dig deep when times are bleak and prove that even thought Arcadians grow flowers, sew baju or dance ballet for a living, they can kickass when required.

Just out of curiosity, what does being the best defender in the world (arguable) have to do with being a captain? Not all the best players in the world are captains of their clubs. Captaincy has more to do with a players attitude, no?

Incidentally, that's what they used to call Bryan Robson. Think you need a new monicker for our Stevie.

Well put it this way, we all know that England players are picked mostly because of reputation. The pressures from the media are great and McLaren could not ignore this, hence why he insisted on picking players who weren't performing internationally including Steven Gerrard. As such I wouldn't use the fact that he is an England regular as testament to his ability.

Being a Chelsea fan, it's understandable for you to be pro-Terry. For you to claim that he is the best defender in the world, you first have to have seen other defenders play consistently. It is a BIG claim and you have to justify it with some reasoning if you want people to take you seriously. I do think he is one of the best in the Premiership but you simply cannot dismiss the rest without so much as batting an eyelid.

To be perfectly honest, I've accepted that fact that rival fans seldom rate Carragher and I've stated my reasons why on the Liverpool thread. Let me dig it up again:

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/613652/+260

I've posted heaps on Carra there.

In fact, I'd much rather they not rate him I like having the underdog tag.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Jan 22 2008, 12:18 PM