We need a LEADER!

[chileanspursfan]

So true. Overall our squad that season really over achieved. We didn't batter anyone in the league (or cup, obviously) but we got a lot of narrow victories by hanging on to leads, something that we can't seem to do at the moment. Of course we had Carrick back then, and King playing alongside Dawson, but I think Davids really was our 'leader' on the field. Moment that summed him up? Maybe that run and assist for Keane's goal after those 2 Arsenal players had run into eachother - no mercy.

So true for you as well my friend. I think everyone has an accurate point here basically. As a TV witness of our campaign, my impression after the Newcastle, Blackburn and Middlesborough matches is that the opposition easily identifies our leadership problems and that we seem to stop pushing after we score the advantage goal. And they build comebacks which any other "established" team would have never allowed.

Woodgate could be a leader, but looks full of doubts during some points and honestly, when you struggle to do your own job you don't have the moral power to tell others what to do (Newcastle match). Hutton has been impressive, but I reckon he is just too new and too young to have a massive influence on the rest of the squad. Keano coould have been the person, but his powder has been wet and Ramos is constantly replacing him during these squandering moments.

Summarizing, the strongest voice I could recognize during our debacle second halves was the one of fans.

I say let's get Kevin Nolan in the summer and keep Jenas, Zokora and Hudd, because they WILL perform alongside someone who provides confidence and a fair amount of verbal abuse...

 

[fozzi44]

Well, I think it's nonsense. I think we need better players who can control the game. I don't it has anything to do with whether we have a "leader" on the pitch or not.

if you think we have leaders on the pitch you need your head looked at mate. When King aint playing (and even when he is) there is no one to grab the game by the scruff and swing it in our favour. Thats what a leader is. Not someone with a gob on them yaking a load of pish.

 

[michaelden]

I agree we need a leader. I'd like to see a midfield general like Appiah playing for us. (I know he's ill but I've been championing him since he joined Juve many moons ago)

We need someone who, like StevieG of Livers, can boss a game, control the pace, dominate the centre, and when the team is playing shit grab the game by the scruff of the neck and shake it about until we are better.

Not many of those out there unfortunately.

 

[Rabbi_Krustofski]

I disagree that King is a good captain ...he's a nice player but a SHIT captain.
Anyway, King dosent exist anymore in my eyes. We need a new centreback to partner Woody ..but thats a seperate issue.
I'm sure Ramos knows what to do in the summer.

 

[donny1013]

We have been linked with Rino Gattuso in the Italian press today, i think he is exactly what we need, not the greatest technically, but he is a battler, has vast experience and i think he would really suit the EPL. he is also a leader and until this, his most disappointing season at Milan, he was talked as taking over the captaincy from Maldini

 

[Dibby]

We have been linked with Rino Gattuso in the Italian press today, i think he is exactly what we need, not the greatest technically, but he is a battler, has vast experience and i think he would really suit the EPL. he is also a leader and until this, his most disappointing season at Milan, he was talked as taking over the captaincy from Maldini

Seems like a Davids type that could add more to the physical side of the squad.

 

[brasil_spur]

It's actually not nonsense at all.

Without Ledley, who is our softly spoken leader, there really are none on the pitch.

If you look at United, for example, they've got Neville, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney ... all those players lead the team. Stand up to be counted. Keano tries - but we've got no 'Gerrard' type in midfield who can grab the game by the balls and get the other fuckers to perform too.

It's not nonsense at all. It's the actual problem we have.

Never were truer words spokem.

We are seriously in need of a leader, even if King can get back his fitness, he is an awesome player, but not the best leader out there.

 

[N17_NEVERARED]

Zokora start some fights lol.

 

[hodspurs]

Woodgate should be made captain next year in my opinion.

Ledley doesn't play enough games and RK doesnt command enough respect.

i think your wrong about keane.he commands as much respect as any one in are team..

 

[Mornstar]

general mugabe anyone?

 

[sparx100]

A leader is defined as:

[SIZE=-1]"a person who rules or guides or inspires others....."

I don't see that in our team. In my opinion, it does not require someone to be vocal necessary, but to be highly consistent and an inspiration to others. Ronaldo was captain for Manchester United recently - he is not vocal as such, but the way he plays the game and is always 'up for it' inspires others.

Ledley is a good captain, but in his absence, you have to look at those who inspire. I can only say that Woodgate and Keane fit the bill - my preference would be Woodgate. (I have discounted Berbs as although inspirational on his day, does not set the right example all the time......!)

[/SIZE]

 

[CosmicHotspur]

If you're looking for consistency in a captain, then Malbranque would be the obvious choice.

It would be good for the team and would develop him even more as a player too. He communicates where it counts, with his passing and reading of the game, and he has the maturity to give direction without it being overstated or loud - that's how Danny Blanchflower did it and it worked.

 

[Bulletspur]

We do need a leader. No question. But as much as that we need top drawer creativity in midfield. It is what seperates the likes of ManU, Arse from us. Match winning creativity. It is people like Ronaldo, Rooney, Anderson, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Hleb, Fabregas, Van persie, Rosicky etc that are much better than what we have creatively in midfield. Chelsea too have people like Cole, Maluda, Ballack, Fatard etc.
I don't think Liverpool are that special in midfield which is why they have had problems and look a step down from the other three. If we play our cards right and Liverpool don't strengthen in the right areas, they could (should ?)well be within our range next year (and should have been this year).

A word of caution here BC. I think that on merit, Everton will have something to say about this.

 

[drjimmy]

Leader, eh?

True, we don't have that focal-point of a strong poersonality on the pitch, but for me, it's less the need of one person, and more of the acceptance of the whole team to take both individual and collective responsibility.

 

[gavspur]

Gattuso would be awesome for us, although, its a shame there isn't anyone younger with his attributes... I think if we can find where O'Hara actually plays best, he could be a candidate for captain, he gives everything and is quite vocal/confident.. Maybe he could be turned into the Carrickesque deep sitting midfielder? Carrick wasn't that kind of player until Jol gave him the role, instead of playing O'Hara left back, stick him in the middle with JJ and tell him to do the sitting role.

 

[Flatters]

if you think we have leaders on the pitch you need your head looked at mate. When King aint playing (and even when he is) there is no one to grab the game by the scruff and swing it in our favour. Thats what a leader is. Not someone with a gob on them yaking a load of pish.

Read my post again, and actually try and take the words in this time. I can't be bothered to re-type it. Or just get your head looked at. Yeah.

 

[C0YS]

Gattuso would be awesome for us, although, its a shame there isn't anyone younger with his attributes... I think if we can find where O'Hara actually plays best, he could be a candidate for captain, he gives everything and is quite vocal/confident.. Maybe he could be turned into the Carrickesque deep sitting midfielder? Carrick wasn't that kind of player until Jol gave him the role, instead of playing O'Hara left back, stick him in the middle with JJ and tell him to do the sitting role.

I like it!!!, Ive always seen O'Hara has a future Left Back, but I think he could work in DM spot, the only prob is he has to learn how to use his left foot!!:wink:

 

[Bus-Conductor]

A word of caution here BC. I think that on merit, Everton will have something to say about this.

I've got a hell of a lot of respect for David Moyes and what he has achieved with a ho hum bunch of players. I think he is a fantastic manager who squeezes every ounce from his players. But in terms of squad talent, spending power and actual quality of football (not defending though) we are better than Everton.

 

[dvdhopeful]

Yea there is a distinction between leader and captain. As captain, as long as Ledders is at the club, I'll never look past him. Our midfield has been lightweight for a while, we need one if not two midfielders in who simply won't let a game pass them by and won't stand for their teammates doing that either. Players who game after game will grab the game by the balls. So yea, I agree :up:

 

[BorisTM]

we need a midfield that will not only defend and break down attacks, but can atchaly create something going forward too!! dont think we need a leader type player, we ahve afew strong players who voice there minds on situations

We have one but we don't use him as such, he has been showing his abilities but since he is not as fancy as Berba or Keane people tend to overlook him - Steed. He wins balls, he backtracks, he can play through balls, and most of all he never stops, he's got the highest work rate in the team. He needs to play in the middle of the park. In the game agaisnt Boro up till his substitute he was MOTM IMO and we just owned them afterwards everything just fell apart. I can't understand why Ramos keeps playing Jenas and Zokoraat the same time, when we are 4-4-2, as they both tend to play in front of the defence.