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Sturdy elbows.
Trench humour. Love it
During the week,
Someone that the players feel they can go to whenever they are having problems either within the football world or their personal lives. A person who will listen and support them but not just nurse them in any way. Someone who will be part of the team but also be able to keep a 'distance' from the others that signifies his position as Captain and thereby earns (not demands) their respect.
A liaison officer between players and manager. Somebody who can have a 'quiet word' with the boss and keep him up to date with the current dressing room atmosphere and hopefully prevent any brewing problems from developing.
Match Day
Somebody who leads by example, gives 100% effort and is constantly communicating with his team, encouraging, advising and if necessary berating. He will be either your worst critic or greatest admirer depending on your performance, and no-one will be spared or regarded as a favourite. A warrior who has the words Spurs running through him like a stick of rock. Somebody the squad members aspire to be and are proud to run onto the pitch with. A leader of men.
Half Time
Somebody who has grafted his balls off for 45 minutes and has every right to look a player in the eye and demand to know why he hasn't. The person who with a simple "Well done" can lift your spirits and make you feel like a king because 'he' said it to you. The person, who after the manager's talk, is the first to the dressing room door, eager to get back on the pitch and show the opposition what he is capable of. The players follow him out not because they have to but for the fact that he is their leader and they will run through brick walls for him.
Now trust me, that isn't Hugo and I don't blame him for it but we need a true Captain, in every sense of the word. The best we have at the moment is Harry but that does not mean in the future he should be the natural choice. True leaders tend to simple evolve (Anybody ever read The Admirable Crichton ?). Giving somebody an armband as a thank you or a 'please stay at the club' award will never work and can do more harm than good. It has to be earned and worn with pride. The manager should be able to see this character development and make the right choice and never,ever hold a 'players vote' to determine the Captain (Xhaka at the Woolwich...really ?? ).
So they are big boots to fill and most importantly you have to truly want the job, and not just be given it.
So who do you see in the team as a natural born leader at the moment ? Or maybe that's what is missing and should be first on the January shopping list
The thread title was what do I want from a Captain...I gave my definition of the qualities I felt the position required. I then gave my opinion that Hugo wasn't the guy for me. I don't have to justify that opinion to you or anybody, neither do I have to base it on concrete facts, it's simply my viewpoint. If you don't share it then fine, you go your way and I'll go mine and we shall agree to differ. Nobody sees what goes on inside the club but I certainly don't see anything like a team spirit or synergy at the moment from the squad. That comes under the responsibility of the manager and team captain as far as I'm concerned and I think both need changing. My opinion and not one that's up for debate.But there has to be an actual reason, evidence of what you want or don't want, not guesswork. Outside of just guesswork, you've given nothing and the guy you want didn't show (based on the same basis you judge Lloris) anything too, in fact, worse, he didn't even front up to the cameras afterwards as Lloris does.
Trench humour. Love itSturdy elbows.