Now that Scott Parker seems certain to join West Ham – Big Sam will need to appoint someone to be captain of the side for next season. Let’s take a look at some of the candidates.
Former Captain Scott Parker
Since there are still quite a few players to be arriving it could well be one of them – if they’re a senior player – could end up becoming captain.
Of the current players in place now who is most qualified to be captain?
Let’s take a look at four potential candidates:
1) Nicky Butt – captained the side a few times last season when given and Parker were out injured. Nicky has the experience plus the guts and determination when it matters most. After a poor first two seasons at Newcastle Nicky came back last year to show great character and win over the Newcastle fans. When given the captaincy for a couple of games he showed genuine pride in leading the team. He would make a good captain for Newcastle.
2) Shay Given – currently vice captain – a good choice for captain but for his position as goalkeeper – which makes it difficult to communicate with the players. However it wouldn’t be the first time a goalkeeper was captain. Shay is one of our senior players and very respected in the dressing room as one of our best and most consistent performers every season.
3) Michael Owen – has captained England and may be given the armband by Sam to get him more involved with Newcastle – which he doesn’t seem (or want?) to be right now. We don’t think Michael has done enough for the team (14 games – an understatement) to warrant being captain and in any case doesn’t look to us to be a natural leader.
4) Steven Taylor – shouldn’t really have him down here for now – but certainly a future Newcastle United captain. Steven will be an important player for us next season. He’s looking very much like John Terry of five years ago – and has already caught the attention of the senior squad by his commanding performances for the England under 21 team (for which he has appeared 14 times). We think Steven is that good he can emulate Terry – who of course went on from his England under 21 exploits (played 9 times) to captain both Chelsea and England.
Sam had 23 year old Kevin Nolan as captain at Bolton – and Joey Barton was captain at Manchester City. Should he join Newcastle however, there’s no chance Joey will captain the side.
So there’s four we considered – and Nicky Butt comes out on top for us – and we also think Nicky will be much better next season under the tutelage of Sam Allardyce. Who do you think should be captain – from those already at the club?
16 comments so far
andy
Jun 3, 2007 at 7:37 AM
Comment #1supposidly nicky butt is goind to sunderland,
Ed Harrison
Jun 3, 2007 at 8:07 AM
Comment #2Andy – making him captain would be one way of keeping him – cannot imagine Sam not wanting to have Butt – but of course if Nicky selects to join Roy Keane i guess he could go – but don’t think so.
Valle
Jun 3, 2007 at 8:29 AM
Comment #3I agree with Butt, but if Sam buys Barton and Boateng it would propperly be Barton in the holding role with one of our other midfielders as the attacking one, which would force nicky out of the starting 11. Well, we will know more in a few months.
Greg B
Jun 3, 2007 at 9:03 AM
Comment #4Im pretty sure Butt is going to link up with Keane too, and would assume he’d be Sunderland captain next season.
I honestly think Given would make a fantastic captain, he’s reliable and loyal and has been our best player over the last 5 years or so. I take your point about goalkeepers not being able to captain right through the team but with the likes of Taylor, Emre and Owen (if he stops) on the field this shouldnt really be a problem.
Id like to see Nolan at Newcastle rather than Barton, I honestly think it would be a step in the wrong direction if we signed Barton after getting rid of the likes of Ballamy and Bowyer when we could get an honest, hard working player who doesnt carry that baggage that would come with the trouble making City captain.
Ed Harrison
Jun 3, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Comment #5Greg B – we’d love to see Nolan at Newcastle – but he said a couple of weeks back that he wants to stay at Bolton – don’t know if Sam can entice him here – we’ll need to wait and see – it’s a long time till August 31st.
Greg B
Jun 3, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Comment #6Good point Ed, however we have seen so many times a player says one thing and does another, Im sure if Allardyce wanted Nolan in his plans he could work the magic especially now that a central midfield place is up for grabs 🙂
I just really hope he stays well clear of Barton, bad news in my opinion and not the sort of player I would want to see at Newcastle.
Just a pity that our own boy wonder hasnt come out to say he wants to stay at Newcastle! Maybe thats a good sign 🙂
James
Jun 3, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Comment #7Give Owen the armband because he could not turn it down and plus if then he did leave would be hated 4ever and everyone would question his loyalty.Or give it to given because he is a top premiership goalie and a legend
Steve
Jun 3, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Comment #8I think we should give it to Butt. The man is a model professional and obviously has the guts to say what needs to be said about certain players in the club not pulling there weight. I think he is the type of player who can lead by example on the pitch as well as off it.
Ed Harrison
Jun 3, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Comment #9Greg B – we continue to be astonished at what Michael is not saying.
Arthur Prince
Jun 3, 2007 at 4:11 PM
Comment #10Take a vote . I think Nicky Butt as he is a solid professional who has won things and has the respect of a new squad . If he isnt in the team I agree it could be a problem but as a holding player behind a Joey Barton and an Emre going forward perhaps .
Arthur Prince
Jun 3, 2007 at 4:20 PM
Comment #11regarding Joey Barton . I agree his behaviour leaves a lot to be desired . As a footballer he has a lot to offer .
Big Sam can sort him out or Joey should be told in simple plain language what is expected and what is not . I.e work for the cause if not you are out in the next window . We need committed players not Prima Donnas .
If EMO stays, fine if not same argument –are you with us or not .If not good -bye .
Nufc cannot continue to be the Milchcow of the premiership .
Let Sam get on with what he is good at and let the New Board hopefully support him in the back ground . Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day its real progress i want to see
Arthur Prince
Jun 3, 2007 at 4:21 PM
Comment #12I also like Kevin Nolan but he seems to be staying at Bolton
reggie22
Jun 3, 2007 at 9:48 PM
Comment #13y not just not have a captain we didn’t have one last year only joking ! its a really hard one i like all the ideas but maybe someone new y not Barton the modern day Roy Keane 😉 lest they would all give 110% he never gives up shuts up or stops and would give him the responsibility of the team may sort him out but i think the rest would see this as a kick in the teeth so i think Micheal Owen will be named capt but I’m sure joey will be the main man if u know what i mean !
matthew
Jun 4, 2007 at 5:08 PM
Comment #14how about luque or babayaro haha given all the way
New Newcastle Captain To Be Chosen in Next Few Weeks | Newcastle United Blog
Jun 16, 2007 at 8:15 AM
Comment #15[…] a piece we ran recently the choice of captain by our readers of those players already at the club seemed to […]
Shaun
Jun 16, 2007 at 8:50 AM
Comment #16Talyor would be interesting, but is passion for the club enough to pass as Captain?