#225

He’s definitely well liked and respected. Whether he’s actually a positive influence is hard to say. On the pitch at least, there have been enough times when the chips have been down and he’s been running around like a headless chicken to suggest that maybe well liked and respected =/ good captain. A good example to the contrary would be Roy Keane, dispicable cunt but wonderful at his job.

#226

Think on-pitch captaincy is a hugely overrated/antiquated notion tbh. Shouting and pointing seem to be the main requirements for people to praise it. Think the role these days is probably way, way more about off-field media duties and acting as a go-between for players and managers.

#228

Agreed. Lineker was making good points about captaincy the other day. Said it’s purely a tokenistic thing and only really matters off the pitch and doesn’t really make a difference on it.

#229

Favourite Dembélé

  • Bassirou Dembélé (born 1990), Malian footballer
  • Bira Dembélé (born 1988), French footballer
  • Boubacar Dembélé (born 1982), French football player
  • Garra Dembélé (born 1986), French-born Malian footballer
  • Makan Dembélé (born 1986), Malian footballer
  • Mana Dembélé (born 1988), French footballer
  • Mousa Dembélé (born 1987), Belgian footballer
  • Moussa Dembélé (born 1996), French footballer
  • Ousmane Dembélé (born 1997), French footballer
  • Siramana Dembélé (born 1977), French footballer
  • Souleymane Dembélé (born 1984), Malian footballer

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#230

I find it difficult to tell how good a captian is. Because a lot of his job is not seen. Surely the most important thing for a captian is to be respected by the squad and have a good report with the staff and manager?

Rooney fits those two categories and striping him off the captaincy is just going to cause more internal strife and perhaps make his replacements job difficult if the players think Rooney has been unfairly treated.

#231

http://img.fifa.com/mm/photo/worldfootball/nationalteams/01/59/43/06/1594306_full-lnd.jpg

#232

Nah, you still need leaders on the pitch. They don’t have to be the captain, but it makes a lot of sense if they are. I feel more confident watching United in the closing minutes of a game now, winning or losing, knowing that Zlatan would slaughter anyone not giving 100%.

1 Like
#233

No doubt. Just don’t think the armband makes any difference. Like you said, Zlatan has been doing more traditional on-pitch captaincy than Rooney ever has so far this season.

1 Like
#234

The ones who are leaders on the pitch will still be leaders on the pitch whether they are wearing an armband or not.

2 Likes
#235

So because I’m not an expert I shouldn’t have an opinion? Honestly where do you disagree or is it just the fact that I didn’t qualify my statements which bothers you?

#236

Please stop getting wound up by a wind-up artist. He’s not even trying anymore.

#237

Did we decide that Paedo lines weren’t acceptable?

#238

True. Though do you even want the “public face” of a football team to be someone bereft of confidence who is being torn to shreds in the media etc? The one who acts as the “go between” with the manager? Can’t imagine that’s good for the confidence of the squad either.

To put in bluntly, I don’t think having Rooney as England or United captain will be a positive thing in the coming months but I don’t see any way of avoiding it without him stepping down.

#239

I’m not wound up I’m just shocked that someone would question the legitimacy of what I say when my understanding of the role stems from such beacons of knowledge such as Joey Barton.

Pretty unquestionable stuff if you ask me.

#240

Nice touch from the Toon-supporting subtitler at Sky yesterday

Image-1.png640×509 435 KB

2 Likes
#241

still very unconvinced by everyone saying they don’t need a captain on the pitch

#242

Leader /= Captain

#243

that;d be more the fault of the manager for giving the captaincy to the wrong person.

#244

Exactly, just look at the Costa Concordia.

#245

Or, the off-pitch duties of the captain trump the on-pitch ones in modern day football.