Captaincy

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

My season is done (unless we sneak into the play-offs), as I am away for the Preston match. And whilst it has not been the triumph of last season, it has been a good season, progress has been made, most matches have been enjoyable and value for money (in part because the seniors' concessions are good), and I have bought my ticket for next season with enthusiasm (a rare event recently). I hope the club continues to progress steadily (ownership issues are the main concern), rather than gambling dangerously, and to progress further, they will have to look for small improvements. One such improvement could be the captaincy, particularly with regard to what is now called game-management. I understood Sharp's appointment (set the tone for Wilder's management), and was surprised by Leon's appointment - nothing against the guy, and he should not be written off yet, but I think the captain should be a defender or mid-fielder, in the thick of the action, and instructed to organise when needed. After goal 2 v Middlesbrough and the goal v Millwall, Leon got involved in score-settling with opponents, and I know that strikers need to celebrate their goals to the full. But the Millwall match showed the wisdom of Clough senior and his belief that a team is most vulnerable immediately after scoring; how we needed one or two wise heads to skip the celebration and start organising everyone, and make them concentrate. The strikers are the last to arrive before the ball is kicked-off, and thus do nothing to help concentrate minds. Maybe a senior respected figure from amongst the defenders/midfielders as captain might just have made that small difference, and perhaps preserved our lead v Millwall? A small detail, but perhaps one to consider.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Interesting.

More interesting was the fact that Sharp did not receive the armband from Clarke yesterday when he entered the field. First time this has happened (armband exchanged away at Barnsley in the previous occasion this could have happened).

UTB

 

[Ricky]

Stearman's currently the best shout.

We don't have any outstanding candidates but we have a good number who wouldn't be out of place with the armband on.

 

[sheffielder]

Clarke just isn't a captain. He is not very vocal at the best of times and doesn't lead by example when's he playing badly (like yesterday)

I am with Ricky, Stearman is the best shout

 

[DronnieBlade]

As well as being vocal, I think it’s important that a captain commands respect from his players.

Stearman is a good shout.

Coutts is a better one, closely followed by Fleck.

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[BerksBlade]

Agree that it should ideally be a defender or midfielder - although Billy is a bit of an exception.
Quite a few candidates: Stearman, Fleck, Bash, JOC, Coutts (when fit), Baldock?

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

As well as being vocal, I think it’s important that a captain commands respect from his players.

Stearman is a good shout.

Coutts is a better one, closely followed by Fleck.

UTB

Stearman, Coutts and Fleck had occurred to me as possibles. It is very difficult from outside to know who are obvious candidates. JOC is also possible. Perhaps the ideal candidate would have been Jake Wright 5 years younger. One problem for Leon is that when he comes back to defend, he is prepared to put his head or foot in, but he is often the one to lose the player he is marking; he probably is not a good organiser.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Stearman, Coutts and Fleck had occurred to me as possibles. It is very difficult from outside to know who are obvious candidates. JOC is also possible. Perhaps the ideal candidate would have been Jake Wright 5 years younger. One problem for Leon is that when he comes back to defend, he is prepared to put his head or foot in, but he is often the one to lose the player he is marking; he probably is not a good organiser.

Clarke also gives away WAY too many needless fouls, which frustrates the fuck out of me, as possession then turns over, often in dangerous areas of the pitch.

If it frustrates me, you can be sure it frustrates our players as well !

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[Bashar Al Asaba]

Billy hasn't been captain very often lately.

United haven't won very often lately.

Probably just a coinkydink....

 

[Rodley]

It’s Stearman, Couttseh or Jack. Suspect Couttseh.

 

[Bert]

What is know about Stearman's personality? Is he captain material or the shy and retiring type?

 

[Stretch]

Think it will stay with Sharp as long as he is here, and it should do as well. Been very impressed with him as captain, despite being highly sceptical when it was first given to him.

Otherwise Coutts or Fleck.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

I'd say the fact that captain and vice-captain (Clarke) are strikers is an indictment of the defenders or midfielders ability to lead. I agree centre half or centre mid should be where the captain's armband should be. Of the current lot none are capable to lead imo and is one of the reasons we're not holding on to leads. Top of Wilder's buying list should be a dominant/captain centre half.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Clarke also gives away WAY too many needless fouls, which frustrates the fuck out of me, as possession then turns over, often in dangerous areas of the pitch.

If it frustrates me, you can be sure it frustrates our players as well !

UTB

He's lazy but he's back giving away free kicks in dangerous areas? Meanwhile Billy wrestling with defenders and giving the possession away whilst we are attacking by fouling them presumably is okay?

You really need to stop with this constant sniping at a player who Wilder thinks is better than your own favourite. Sharps not playing because he's been ineffective for much of the time and like it or not, he's no longer capable of leading the line. That doesn't mean l'm saying he's rubbish or useless, or a negative for the team ( because that would be utterly stupid).

Although had Clarke missed the chance he did yesterday, you wouldn't have shut up about it.

 

[DronnieBlade]

He's lazy but he's back giving away free kicks in dangerous areas? Meanwhile Billy wrestling with defenders and giving the possession away whilst we are attacking by fouling them presumably is okay?

You really need to stop with this constant sniping at a player who Wilder thinks is better than your own favourite. Sharps not playing because he's been ineffective for much of the time and like it or not, he's no longer capable of leading the line. That doesn't mean l'm saying he's rubbish or useless, or a negative for the team ( because that would be utterly stupid).

Although had Clarke missed the chance he did yesterday, you wouldn't have shut up about it.

Wak Wak Oops !!

Care to hazard a guess as to which players have the above fouls won / fouls against statistics.

Your eyeballs deceive you young Jedi

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[Bashar Al Asaba]

You only have to look at how the team capitulates when in dominant positions to see that leaders are thin on the ground in this team.

Actually, as far as I can see the only other one who is captain-material is Chris Basham, who I've been critical of in the past but could never fault his attitude and professional approach.

Until then, you stick with Billy, who has been a consumate professional and talismanic presence for the whole duration of his tenure.

 

[Sean Thornton]

View attachment 38610 View attachment 38611
Wak Wak Oops !!

Care to hazard a guess as to which players have the above fouls won / fouls against statistics.

Your eyeballs deceive you young Jedi

UTB

You pick and choose your statistics - as we are all wont to do at times - but ignore the Ines that don't suit. i.e. the goals from open play which showed that Clarke was more prolific.

Do those stats show the number of times each of them was back helping the defence rather than lolling about on the halfway line?

You're "Billy wasn't good, but but but, he was better than Clarke" claims when clearly not the case, just shows mardy arsed bias because Wilder picks Clarke. You know, the professional manager......

 

[DronnieBlade]

You pick and choose your statistics - as we are all wont to do at times - but ignore the Ines that don't suit. i.e. the goals from open play which showed that Clarke was more prolific.

Do those stats show the number of times each of them was back helping the defence rather than lolling about on the halfway line?

You're "Billy wasn't good, but but but, he was better than Clarke" claims when clearly not the case, just shows mardy arsed bias because Wilder picks Clarke. You know, the professional manager......

I don’t pick and choose them. They are ALL widely available and ALL demonstrate, statistically at least that Sharp is more than a direct match for Leon. Across pretty much all parameters.

Your middle paragraph clearly demonstrates your ignorance of direct instruction from the manager.

Apart from the fresh air shots that is. Leon’s got that one nailed down

UTB

 

[loyalblade95]

Interesting.

More interesting was the fact that Sharp did not receive the armband from Clarke yesterday when he entered the field. First time this has happened (armband exchanged away at Barnsley in the previous occasion this could have happened).

UTB

Players usually don't receive the amrband until the captain leaves the field

 

[DronnieBlade]

Players usually don't receive the amrband until the captain leaves the field

Leon gave the band to Sharp at Barnsley. Pretty sure this has also happened before.

It did not happen yesterday.

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[loyalblade95]

Leon gave the band to Sharp at Barnsley. Pretty sure this has also happened before.

It did not happen yesterday.

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Wasn't at Barnsley so I wouldn't know

 

[Bashar Al Asaba]

Wasn't at Barnsley so I wouldn't know

Lucky bastard.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I don’t pick and choose them. They are ALL widely available and ALL demonstrate, statistically at least that Sharp is more than a direct match for Leon. Across pretty much all parameters.

Your middle paragraph clearly demonstrates your ignorance of direct instruction from the manager.

Apart from the fresh air shots that is. Leon’s got that one nailed down

UTB

Why didn't you quote the goals from open play then? You only chose what suited you.

So a player not tracking back obviously won't be risking giving away free kicks in dangerous areas then? Which means your stats don't make much sense because you aren't comparing like with like.

Maybe you were to keen to call me ignorant rather than do a bit of joined up thinking about what you'd said?

One managerial instruction has been "Billy, get on the bench" unlike the one about stay up there, I presume he's got that wrong?

Air shots? Really

 

[AWetFlannel]

Most players we sign are former POTY's or captains.
Lundstram was captain at Oxford aged 23.
Stearman was captain of Wolves for years.
Jake Wright was Oxford captain.
Coutts was captain at Preston.
Billy and Leon have both captained us this season.

Think we'll be ok.

 

[Ajmblade]

What is know about Stearman's personality? Is he captain material or the shy and retiring type?

Constantly organising Jack and Bash and generally encourages other players/ keepers etc after doing summat good, pretty much meets the requirements for me

 

[stringer]

Stearman, Coutts and Fleck had occurred to me as possibles. It is very difficult from outside to know who are obvious candidates. JOC is also possible.

Interesting that you quote a defensive lapse as reason to take the captaincy off Leon, but suggest two players who were on the pitch at the time as possible replacements. Would sticking a bit of elastic on Jack's left arm have prevented that goal yesterday?

Consider the reasons why Clarke was given the armband in the first place. He's a commanding figure in the squad, but also a personality that needs to feel the love; what better than the captaincy? As you alluded to earlier, there are leaders all over the pitch - Bash, Stearman and JOC in the back line, Fleck in midfield. An armband shouldn't really make them more/less of a leader figure.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Why didn't you quote the goals from open play then? You only chose what suited you.

So a player not tracking back obviously won't be risking giving away free kicks in dangerous areas then? Which means your stats don't make much sense because you aren't comparing like with like.

Maybe you were to keen to call me ignorant rather than do a bit of joined up thinking about what you'd said?

One managerial instruction has been "Billy, get on the bench" unlike the one about stay up there, I presume he's got that wrong?

Air shots? Really

Clarke has a better goals from open play ratio. Not by a huge margin.

Does Sharp never track back ?

Does he never make tackles ?

The stats quoted in the context of fouls against are relevant and meaningful. In terms of set plays. Corners etc., Leon is tasked with picking up in the box, purely because of his aerial superiority over Sharp. No doubts about that in terms of aerial duels won and the stats also confirm this (quite how effective this is to the side, particularly in terms of the all important possession retention is unclear. I have my own thoughts !).

Are you suggesting Leon’s extremely poor fouls against record is when defending ? How many fouls / pens has he given away ????

The fouls against are almost all when wrestling the CB in offensive areas or when Leon, as is most often the case, gets behind his man, rather than where he should be, in front !

In a defensive sense, Sharp is a much better tackler, with a massively superior tackles win percentage. Check the stats.

Let me boil it down for you Sean. And others. Sharp is visibly, statistically and demonstrably the better, more effective CF. Overall.

Leon wins more headers. Which in Bladesland, cuts you much slack

And the air shots thing, while somewhat tongue in cheek, was also somewhat valid in terms of demonstrating visibly poor technique. For a Pro footballer, this is akin to a pro golfer taking an air shot, fucking embarrassing.

Do you play ?

When was the last time you, under no pressure, and with no pitch bobble to blame COMPLETELY missed the ball ??

I hope your mates ripped the piss out of you if you have.

UTB

 

[Sean Thornton]

Clarke has a better goals from open play ratio. Not by a huge margin.

Does Sharp never track back ?

Does he never make tackles ?

The stats quoted in the context of fouls against are relevant and meaningful. In terms of set plays. Corners etc., Leon is tasked with picking up in the box, purely because of his aerial superiority over Sharp. No doubts about that in terms of aerial duels won and the stats also confirm this (quite how effective this is to the side, particularly in terms of the all important possession retention is unclear. I have my own thoughts !).

Are you suggesting Leon’s extremely poor fouls against record is when defending ? How many fouls / pens has he given away ????

The fouls against are almost all when wrestling the CB in offensive areas or when Leon, as is most often the case, gets behind his man, rather than where he should be, in front !

In a defensive sense, Sharp is a much better tackler, with a massively superior tackles win percentage. Check the stats.

Let me boil it down for you Sean. And others. Sharp is visibly, statistically and demonstrably the better, more effective CF. Overall.

Leon wins more headers. Which in Bladesland, cuts you much slack

And the air shots thing, while somewhat tongue in cheek, was also somewhat valid in terms of demonstrating visibly poor technique. For a Pro footballer, this is akin to a pro golfer taking an air shot, fucking embarrassing.

Do you play ?

When was the last time you, under no pressure, and with no pitch bobble to blame COMPLETELY missed the ball ??

I hope your mates ripped the piss out of you if you have.

UTB

Do you want a £25 charity bet next season on which one will score more goals next season from open play/minutes played? I should think that won't be a problem seeing as by all stats that suit you Billy is demonstratively better player?

Let's set it know if you want to put your money where your mouth is. If one leaves close season then whoever championed that one loses.

I'll go for Leon.



So Leon has more goals per minutes played. Not by a big margin. Wah!

Leon has scored far more from open play.

Leon has scored more goals

I'd say more people disagree with you on here than agree with your comments on Clarke.

You've slated Leon from day one. I haven't slated Billy because unlike you I don't have an odd agenda against a United player who's our leading scorer.

I did play, bit old now and I played up front. Spent some time out in the fresh air playing football when I was younger rather than picking the stats that I hope would make my Bad Leon/Poor Billy mentality look less abnormal. Do your mates take the piss when you cock up on FIFA 18?


Now that bet?

 

[sufcboy95]

Sharp should remain the club captain.
However if he’s not going to be involved as much next season, then it’s Coutts all day long

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Billy hasn't been captain very often lately.

United haven't won very often lately.

Probably just a coinkydink....

I think Billy was a good choice as captain last season, as it helped generate the positive atmosphere Wilder wanted; I think the time has come to choose a captain in a better position on the pitch to influence the game. Better not to have goalkeepers or strikers as captain, as a general rule.