Captain 2018/19

[jlove]

IMHO, Nico is the only current player who is a leader, has the respect of the others and could be captain but for not being a guaranteed starter. Mepham should get more starts than him and has the experience of being captain in our B's and for Wales U-21. He may be young but I sort-of guess he has the respect and the ability to communicate tactical changes to the other players.

Bentley maybe too but only Smith will know who will be the best channel for him. I really can't see any others who have the qualities needed, it's more than just enthusiasm.

 

[Leonardo]

McEachran was captain at the start v. WW....

And I think it could be the making of him to toughen up

 

[Kingston Bee]

Between Woodsey (if he stays) and Mepham with Ryan just getting the vote for me. A bit more experience tips the balance for me but would not be unhappy with either.

 

[jlove]

Between Woodsey (if he stays) and Mepham with Ryan just getting the vote for me. A bit more experience tips the balance for me but would not be unhappy with either.

I don't think Woods has the personality to be captain; he's not outgoing and appears quite insular at times, especially when things are not going well.

 

[Kingston Bee]

I don't think Woods has the personality to be captain; he's not outgoing and appears quite insular at times, especially when things are not going well.

I think the opposite, but also he is now at a stage where I feel he can take on the extra responsibilities required without it affecting his own performance. Whilst I think the world of Meps I think it would be too much to expect him to develop the personality required (have not seen that much from him in this area) after just 12 games. I would say at this point let him get on with his own game and develop without the additional burden of captaincy. If he stays long enough with us I am sure he will get the armband in due course anyway, but not ideal at this point imo.

 

[jlove]

I think the opposite, but also he is now at a stage where I feel he can take on the extra responsibilities required without it affecting his own performance. Whilst I think the world of Meps I think it would be too much to expect him to develop the personality required (have not seen that much from him in this area) after just 12 games. I would say at this point let him get on with his own game and develop without the additional burden of captaincy. If he stays long enough with us I am sure he will get the armband in due course anyway, but not ideal at this point imo.

OK, I'd say the opposite. Mepham shows real organisation in defence; there were games towards the end of last season when he was ordering Egan about and he was certainly 'in charge'. One of the consistent comments in the Mexico v. Wales game was that, when captain Ashley Williams went off injured, Mepham took control. Woods is the one who needs to concentrate on his own performance; against Barnsley last season particularly he was constantly beating himself up for mistakes, which is not good for a captain. Anyway, I'm glad it's not our decision.

 

[wanderer paul]

I don't think Woods has the personality to be captain; he's not outgoing and appears quite insular at times, especially when things are not going well.

But you think Nico is?! lol

The captain who couldn’t get himself heard or stand up to the ref when we were under pressure and taking poor hits in several home and away matches, it was embarrassing.

Nico is nowhere near a captain.

 

[Kingston Bee]

OK, I'd say the opposite. Mepham shows real organisation in defence; there were games towards the end of last season when he was ordering Egan about and he was certainly 'in charge'. One of the consistent comments in the Mexico v. Wales game was that, when captain Ashley Williams went off injured, Mepham took control. Woods is the one who needs to concentrate on his own performance; against Barnsley last season particularly he was constantly beating himself up for mistakes, which is not good for a captain. Anyway, I'm glad it's not our decision.

Dont disagree with your comments concerning Mepham, for one so young he is special no question. But I would leave him as is after just 12 games, dont want anything to muddy the water to hinder his progress. Regarding Woods he was one of our players of the season imo, and if you look at what opposing supporters say he in the player most picked out by them as the star performer in our team, that says a lot to me. He is consistently good hence my judgement is not based on 1 or 2 games. I echo your comments regarding the decision making, but either way we should be ok.

 

[Wise old Bee]

Don't know enough about the interaction among the squad or who are the natural leaders who command the respect of their colleagues. I'm sure DS knows welll enough but, based on his on-field actions, I would choose Barbet presuming he signs a new contrsct.

 

[jlove]

But you think Nico is?! lol

The captain who couldn’t get himself heard or stand up to the ref when we were under pressure and taking poor hits in several home and away matches, it was embarrassing.

Nico is nowhere near a captain.

OK, my opinion is he's the most 'captain-ey' player we've got, in terms of leading the other players, but not so likely to get game time now. ISTR that someone close to Woods said that he didn't want it anyway... but that may be my unconscious bias.

 

[jlove]

Regarding Woods he was one of our players of the season imo, and if you look at what opposing supporters say he in the player most picked out by them as the star performer in our team, that says a lot to me. He is consistently good hence my judgement is not based on 1 or 2 games. I echo your comments regarding the decision making, but either way we should be ok.

There's no doubting fans, especially Villa fans, like Woods. That's not really the basis for being captain, though. At the risk of being tedious, it's about being able to read a game, take tactical communications from the bench – or even make them yourself – and direct the other players.

 

[wanderer paul]

Depends who stays. Probably Bentley at the moment. Backed up by Mepham, if he stays, or Woods...... I don’t see a ‘captain’ in any of our players, but Mepham will be one, one day, wherever he goes.

 

[The Pipe]

I can’t make a case for Woods as captain as he does not strike me as a natural leader. Meps maybe but would prefer he concentrated on his own development, Nico is good at reading the game and organising the players but may have insufficient game time. Difficult choice for Smith and actually quite like the idea of making Nico club captain but choosing the match day on field captain on the day dependant upon the team

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Canos with his love for the club and attitude anyone............................................

 

[rebus]

Can't believe all these votes for Barbet. If Rico had been fit, he would have been nowhere near the first team. He's Dean's third or fourth choice centre-back!

 

[No_sting_Bee]

Bentley at the back judge more up front. Yes he might be leaving and yes he can be selfish but it certainly provides direction.

 

[josht]

I think Mepham most certainly is captain material, however whilst he's developing as a regular first teamer I'd want to make sure his focus is primarily on his own game rather than taking the hefty responsibility for leading the team too. Give it another year - if he's still here next year - and a full season behind him could give him the requisite first team experience to be a proper leader. He'd probably do a decent job of it now, but I'd really want him to have a full season of concentrating on continuing his own improvement.

Woods or Bentley for me. Ideally you'd need someone who's first choice, so that might rule out Yennaris and Barbet.

 

[londondude]

I'd go Alan Judge.

 

[moribee]

Barbet

 

[wanderer paul]

I'd go Alan Judge.

Barbet

In which position do these two start?

I doubt either will be first choice, therefore, no thank you.

 

[Lush55]

Can't believe all these votes for Barbet. If Rico had been fit, he would have been nowhere near the first team. He's Dean's third or fourth choice centre-back!

You say that mate.......but I would have Barbet over Egan any day........in fact... I have said in other threads.....that Barbet would and could be your actual "enforcer" everyone goes on about......IMHO.

 

[JANORAK]

What about Sawyers? ( not included in poll)
If he’s fit, he plays. A trusted favourite of DS, technically gifted & respected by the others. Been here a couple of seasons & knows how things work @Bfc. Showed character to win over the initial doubters in the home crowd, ( and some real bozos that got worryingly worked up!) Consistency improved last season, as did confidence. Captaincy could help him get to the next level. Being descrbed in football circles as ‘Brentford Captain Romaine Sawyers’ would be good for self- esteem, and the Club benefits too.

 

[nick logan]

I'd go Alan Judge.

here you are , have a

 

[Guildford Bee]

What about Sawyers? ( not included in poll)
If he’s fit, he plays. A trusted favourite of DS, technically gifted & respected by the others. Been here a couple of seasons & knows how things work @Bfc. Showed character to win over the initial doubters in the home crowd, ( and some real bozos that got worryingly worked up!) Consistency improved last season, as did confidence. Captaincy could help him get to the next level. Being descrbed in football circles as ‘Brentford Captain Romaine Sawyers’ would be good for self- esteem, and the Club benefits too.

Love him but no.

 

[rebus]

You say that mate.......but I would have Barbet over Egan any day........in fact... I have said in other threads.....that Barbet would and could be your actual "enforcer" everyone goes on about......IMHO.

You're not Dean Smith, and that's the only opinion that counts. I include myself in that!

 

[BEEcool]

The spread of the poll concerns me - it shows that we have very few obvious or stand out leaders.

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

The spread of the poll concerns me - it shows that we have very few obvious or stand out leaders.

I'm slightly more concerned lots of people seem to want someone as captain who's quite likely not to be on the pitch!

 

[The Pipe]

I'm slightly more concerned lots of people seem to want someone as captain who's quite likely not to be on the pitch!

Hence my argument to have a “ club captain” and deal with match day captains based upon team selection. May also create more “ captains” on the pitch.

 

[IDontBeeLieveIt]

Hence my argument to have a “ club captain” and deal with match day captains based upon team selection. May also create more “ captains” on the pitch.

I think you always need leaders on the pitch regardless of a captain (and there will be regardless of a captain / club captain imo).
However having the most natural leader as captain to lead the rallying of the troops also helps imo (on top of any other leaders on the pitch).
I think that's best if it's a CB or central midfielder, but really the most important thing is they're ever present and respected imo, hence I have to go for Bentley out of the current lot, as he's our most likely to be both of those things, and also have a better chance of being able to hang onto him for a while.

A bit like for England at the WC. Kane captained but there were key moments when experienced players showed leadership and helped calmed down some ratty youngsters (Maguire and Young showing notable leadership in one particular game springs to mind).

 

[Brentford_till_die]

Canos....no chance.

Woodsy or Meps?

Sawyers is far too laid back to be captain

 

[BlueJayBee]

What about McEachran?

 

[sonofabee]

Thank you for your pithy response.

Name me a true leader of people that has been "captain" over the last few years.

IMHO, the role of the captain has been diminished as modern football has morphed into what it is now.

Until football mirrors rugby, I don't give any weight to a club captain.

Sorry I'm not apologising if you don't get my point, I want more than 1 captain, I want leaders all over the pitch. Forget who tosses the coin or picks ends, if we don't have natural leaders in the team we will not win anything. In recent years I think the best examples are TC and Macca, Uwe recognised we lacked experience and leadership and brought in two players who were leaders, captains at their own clubs and with the nous, knowledge, respect and presence on the pitch to influence games and affect performances and sometimes results. That's what a good captain does.

 

[sonofabee]

I'm sorry but getting annoyed, if you want someone to toss a coin, rotate it week in week out if no obvious candidates. What's worrying is that the spread suggests we have no natural leaders and that is scary as every great winning side has leaders in it, Schmeichel, Neville, Pallister, Bruce, Ince, Cantona, Keane, all leaders but only 1 captain at a time. The problem for me is that there appears to be a lack of leaders that will definitely be with us come August 4th.

 

[rebus]

I'm sorry but getting annoyed, if you want someone to toss a coin, rotate it week in week out if no obvious candidates. What's worrying is that the spread suggests we have no natural leaders and that is scary as every great winning side has leaders in it, Schmeichel, Neville, Pallister, Bruce, Ince, Cantona, Keane, all leaders but only 1 captain at a time. The problem for me is that there appears to be a lack of leaders that will definitely be with us come August 4th.

Been the same since 2015. They are all quiet in that dressing room.

 

[malagakid]

Not worried personally. Man city used quite a few different captains in all that time when Kompany was injured.

 

[HertfordBee]

We've had a loudmouth as captain before, though!

 

[Brentford_till_die]

Sorry I'm not apologising if you don't get my point, I want more than 1 captain, I want leaders all over the pitch. Forget who tosses the coin or picks ends, if we don't have natural leaders in the team we will not win anything. In recent years I think the best examples are TC and Macca, Uwe recognised we lacked experience and leadership and brought in two players who were leaders, captains at their own clubs and with the nous, knowledge, respect and presence on the pitch to influence games and affect performances and sometimes results. That's what a good captain does.

Spot on, those were the two signings we needed and crying out for in league one. Big characters they both were, perfect captains, it was all natural and as you mentioned their presence on the pitch which in turn rubs off onto the other players.
Harder to get those types for good money in the championship.

 

[ruislip bee]

Henrich is the obvious choice.

 

[BFC1997]

Nico was deputy.

If Nico goes, I’m pretty sure Bentley was third choice last year.

If it’s neither then Woods for me. Rather not hold Mepham back with responsibility at this stage

 

[Bixer]

Agreed that it’s too much unnecessary responsibility to give Mepham at this stage. Obviously no one doubts how far he might go, but he’s only 20 and he’s not even played half a season’s worth of games for us. He needs to keep his head down and focus on his own development for the time being in my opinion.

Similarly, I’ve never been a fan of having your goalkeeper as captain. Feels like a bit of a technicality when you can’t think who else to give it to. A goalkeeper can’t really grab a game by the scruff of the neck when heads are dropping and similarly won’t be able to get into the ref’s ear.

Nico or Woods are the only good candidates if you ask me. I probably err towards Woods, but of course if the club foresee him leaving within the next 2 weeks then Nico.

 

[Phreebee]

Love him but no.

There’s nothing like a well evidenced and reasoned argument is there.

 

[Guildford Bee]

There’s nothing like a well evidenced and reasoned argument is there.

He’s not a leader, is he? When the chips are down he’s not going to drive the rest of the team on. He’s a great player but he needs someone around who can do that.

From what I saw last season Mepham is the obvious and only choice. If he’s injured I’d reluctantly give it to Bentley.

 

[Banana]

I reckon Meps is favourite. Was mentioned this time last year too. So let's see...

If you're good enough, you're old enough.

 

[Phreebee]

I don’t think it’s just ‘when the chips are down’. A good captain holds things together and intervenes well before we’re up against the wall. I saw Romaine talking a lot last season, b***ocking Sergi, encouraging and feeding Ollie, sorting things out with others in midfield and apologising when he made mistakes. A good communicator who understands the pattern we’re playing to. And I think the responsibility would bring the best out of him.

 

[HertfordBee]

Surely the new captain will be the new experienced centre-back to replace Egan?

 

[Banana]

Surely the new captain will be the new experienced centre-back to replace Egan?

Will we be hiring a starter though? Who knows?!

 

[tomisabee]

Step up Josh Mceachran

 

[Pauly Paul]

Barbet for me.

 

[sonofabee]

Not worried personally. Man city used quite a few different captains in all that time when Kompany was injured.

The great teams are full of leaders regardless of who wears the armband, the challenge is to find leaders amongst inexperienced youngsters at the beginning of their career.

 

[sonofabee]

Nico was deputy.

If Nico goes, I’m pretty sure Bentley was third choice last year.

If it’s neither then Woods for me. Rather not hold Mepham back with responsibility at this stage

Unless he's a natural leader who relishes and thrives on responsibility, I trust the Head Coach knows his players well enough to make the right call