With the warm, but for most Newcastle fans, thankful departure of Fabricio Coloccini, the question beckons, who is next in line?
Since he stepped up following the harrowing defeat to Southampton last season, Jamaal Lascelles appears to be the front man to take the role out of the players who remain from the last campaign. For a young man, who may come across as outspoken to some, his attitude is exactly what the club needs. I don’t know what took it so long for one of the players to share their dismay at the team prior to the interview which followed the game. It’s clear that his passion is there, but does he have the experience and composure to lead the squad through a potential 50 + game season?
New boy Jesus Gamez is also being pitted to take up the club’s captaincy. Previous experience across the sea in Spain for both Malaga and Atletico Madrid has seen him rack up over 300 club appearances during his career, which includes Champions League game time. Being captain at Malaga in the past stands him in good stead, especially with his Spanish roots which I think will sit well with Benitez. Will his English be up to the job which he could be destined for?
Next up is want-away Moussa Sissoko. Not only did his performances improve for us when he was paired with the armband, but the ability to take that from club to country level was evident. However, what was also clear was a lack of desire before being appointed the role. That in itself, along with others with the same feelings may have led to the downfall of the clubs Premier League status though. £35 million may be slightly overpriced for a player of his calibre, but doesn’t that beg the question of what Rafa sees in the lad?
Jonjo Shelvey. Stripped of the captaincy after less than 10 games running the show last term, does he have the charisma and determination to lead us back up to the top flight? For some, I suspect they believe it was another one of Stevie Mac’s idea’s which led us into the 2nd tier of English football, but for others, his personality is something to be looked upon and used going forward. Perhaps it was the nature of the fight for survival that contributed to his less than adequate performances and in turn, him being stripped of the captaincy. Will RB give him another chance?
Other candidates which spring to mind are the likes of Jack Colback and even Cheick Tiote. In spite of Tiote’s links to a move away, his hard working and unresolved spirit may sway the decision of top dog Benitez. The same can be said for Jack Colback, who’s determination put into every match, something we lacked last season, may see him heading the list to be captain.
On the other hand, maybe a new face will be handed the armband and the job of getting Newcastle back to where they belong. What do you think? Have your say in the comments below.
Cheers for the thread and welcome. For me it’s Lascelles. He did a fine job when he came in last year and his honesty was a breath of fresh air after Coli’s pathetic love letters in which no accountability was displayed.
I want a vocal leader on the pitch with a steely resolve. That is Lascelles. Shelvey is inconsistent as a player and he lacks the mental composure the be the leader.
Colback is a grafter, but not a leader.
Gamez will need time to adapt without the responsibility of Captaincy.
If it had to be a newcomer, then Hanley is a fair bet. Proven leader at this level with potential to grow.
Shamrock(Quote)
I sort of agree with you BP – I’m not seeing a natural captain in the squad yet. Lascelles has been very vocal but he’s really inexperienced. Heart’s in the right place but is he clever enough at reading the game?
Gamez might be a natural but I don’t know if he even speaks English. He’s probably the favourite and possibly Rafa wanted a spaniard for the role – his man on the pitch if you like.
Don’t know enough on Hanley either . . .
Georgio(Quote)
Very tough to pick a captain surely? Lascelles talks the talk (as did Taylor), but he’s only young, hasn’t been with the club too long and is he a definite starter? Could Sissoko thrive on the responsibility and drive us into the PL? People talked about Janmaat, but is he looking for a move too?
I don’t blame the likes of Gini, Sissoko and Janmaat being open to a move. Their agents are only doing their job and their careers are pretty short. It makes sense to see what else they might be offered.
Rafa is in the middle, so looking forward to seeing the rest of his decisions!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I’d have had Taylor as club captain if he’d stayed an accepted a backup role at the club. Wonder if he’s got any decent offers yet? Might end up changing his mind and wanting to come back…squad might be full by then though! Perhaps if he’d stayed, then Lascelles could have been the captain on the pitch.
Interested to see what we do at left back too. Does Rafa rate Dummett or Haidara?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Will be interesting to see who does take on the role. One player who has the experience, but not the playing time is perhaps SDJ
Nice to see so many new writers on here, and the banter seems to be back.
Premandup(Quote)
Good read Bellamy’s pride , the way I look at it is that anyone will be better than Colour as IMO he was never leader.
I thought Shelvey would have been a good choice so can’t really work out what went wrong there.
I think either Colback or Lascelles would make good young captains.
But as I said any one will be better than what we had.
Big Dave(Quote)
Sissy wants out. He is not as good as he thinks he is and constantly disrespects the club. Why would he be Captain? Is his attitude supposed to inspire his teammates to want the best for the club? No thanks.
Shamrock(Quote)
Prem
Good shout on SDJ. He’s done it at his previous club I believe? But no idea what Rafa thinks of him yet. Another question I’m looking forward to seeing answered.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Chinese window closes today. If Tiote is going, it will be today.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham
Sometimes leadership inspires a player. Can you blame some of the players being disenchanted with things around the club the last couple of years? No doubt, they should have been trying their hardest, especially considering they are VERY well paid. But that’s just not what players are like these days. I’d also say that fans should support the team regardless, but fans have changed too and love to boo.
I’m not saying he SHOULD be captain, but it’s an option. Would he thrive on the responsibility from Rafa and be the main man driving us back to the PL and then back into the top 10 and beyond? Don’t know…only Rafa can really judge.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Welcome to the mad house nice read,Ime with SHAM the kid told them straight last year but it came to late let’s hope he doesn’t have to do it this year and it comes naturally to the whole team
Icedog(Quote)
a good manager will negate the need for an inspirational captain. If all the players are pulling in the same direction and giving their all, it leaves the captains roll as a mediator with the ref and a coin ******…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Not according to Conte AMF. He has kept Terry as Captain even though he won’t be an ever present in the side. The players need somebody they can relate to and be inspired by, somebody who upholds standards and leads by example, who says the right things for the good of the club.
You can have a meaningless Captain if you want – but you won’t get the same team spirit or drive, no matter how good the manager is.
Shamrock(Quote)
That’s not what all players are like these days mate. There are leaders and honourable men scattered throughout football. I have no issue with players not being happy with current events at clubs – it’s just how they go about expressing it and changing it that separates a generic player from a true leader and inspirational figure.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham
I know exactly what you are saying. But that kind of player is in short supply these days. I totally agree that Sissoko’s attitude to our struggles stinks, but how many players seemed to be able to always roll their sleeves up and try 100% under McClaren? That’s one reason I reckon they wanted to keep Taylor as a backup. He might be injury prone and make poor decisions on the pitch, but he always showed passion.
Every player improved under Rafa. Lauding Lascelles because of his performances and attitude in the last few games isn’t a good comparison, as other players looked much better too, including Sissoko.
Look at Ronaldo as an example of how someone can change and then change again. Moody teenager, so ultimate professional and now he’s a moody sulky ultimate professional…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Conte knows Terry has sway in the locker room, smart move.. nothing to do with on field exploits..
I find it funny the people consider being vocal and yelling are good attributes of a leader..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Name one player under Rafa last season that that combined improving their performance WITH demonstrating true leadership in their actions, words and consistency of all the above . Only Lascelles springs to mind.
Shamrock(Quote)
Near on all the players Ive played with have never played for the captain. If you need a captain to g you up then you shouldn’t be strapping on your boots to start with..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
His on field exploits are a mere continuation of what he does behind the scenes. You have just proved my point and undermined your own point that it’s all about the manager and the captain need only be a coin ******.
Shamrock(Quote)
Strange logic. Go into any workplace in the world and you will have leaders and deputy’s spread throughout the set up in order to maintain principles, standards and visions. Without leaders it all falls to pieces.
Shamrock(Quote)
I bet Terry is not captain by october.. Conte needs an ally in the change room.. good managers negate the need for on field leaders… terry wont play much..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Good point Aussie but you do see captains like Terry pulling players about and telling them what to do, where to go, especially at set pieces.
I don’t think we’ve got one in the squad. You don’t need one but they can help.
Georgio(Quote)
De Yong injured again …. Oh dear. What a surprise.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Sham
You’re right that Lascelles showed it to us, in all of about 4 games. Need a bit more than that to select a captain though.
And I agree with you about the captain. The captain needs to be the man who reinforces the manager’s vision when he can’t impact things and also is the main voice between the players and the manager. It’s an important role. But we need several senior players to help out on and off the pitch. Rafa seems to understand how foreign players need more assistance to make them understand the country and club culture and is bringing in specialists, but senior players can really help there too.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
The Manager is the boss, the captain is like one of his deputies.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
The manager sets the vision. The Captain helps to enforce it. Same as Inspectors and Sergeants in the Police, managers and supervisors in public workplaces, corporal and sergeant in the army. The manager cannot do it all and the manager rarely socialites with the players because he needs to maintain that level of authority and professionalism. That’s where his captain comes in. He is the bridge between the two. How can you not see that?
Shamrock(Quote)
TDS.. I get that mate…
Rafa is the top dog…, the rest are plebs… if a captain has to get the players fired up then Raffa has failed badly…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Wow, coaching 25 odd players is like governing the police or commanding an army 😯
I wonder what all Raffas assistant coaches do?
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie I get it. You are blind to the value if a Captain of a football team. It’s a wonder the title even exists at every club in the world. They are all so stupid. If only they saw it like you.
Shamrock(Quote)
Some one has to take the coin toss Sham! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aye mate hamstring injury stretching for a ball ffs could miss season start think this his forth hamstring injury missed half a season with one,get shot if we can
Icedog(Quote)
I could talk till the cows come home about Lascelles.
He’s only 21 (I think) but was very impressed with him the back-end of last season. Quick, strong, composed, gives his all – you could say he might not be a starter, but why not? The so-called Hanley deal is an unknown and with mbemba alongside him, we have the makings of a very good partnership.
They may both be young but you”l never win anything with kids as Hanson once said!
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Yeah time to get rid I think. Shame actually. I was excited when we brought him in and genuinely thought he could be great for us. We cannot afford to carry a player like this. I kept hoping he would get some games and prove what a decent player he was but its just one injury after another. Sad really. Feel for the bloke.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Aussie
Just because Rafa is the manager, doesn’t mean others don’t need to play their part! That’s a bit like expecting the Prime Minister to do everything and ignoring the contribution of the cabinet and other MPs!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/07/club-confirm-two-newcastle-players-sent-home-injuries-newcastle-united/
Injurys starting already
Icedog(Quote)
Nice article and welcome BP.
At the moment you would have to say Lascelles is the stand out candidate, he had the balls to come out and say what he knew we all thought and has played well beyond most our expectations so far. For one so young to show that attitude and accept responsibility is really encouraging to see. It may be that Rafa will look at the team in training and pre season to assess who is the most respected guy in the team. I think the players need to look up to or at least respect their captain as it is definitely more than a coin tossing job. Rafa can coach all day but once the players are on the pitch he needs a deputy to keep the lads in check and not going off tack. Right now Lascelles has the attributes but his lack of experience could go against him and Rafa may well want someone like Gamez.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Bloody hell De Jong is made of glass, poor sod. And Mababu is starting to seem injury prone too.
Kimtoon(Quote)
With De Jong injured, we will struggle to sell him on. May need to send him on loan with favourable terms in the first instance. If we can afford for a defender to get injured, its Mbabu. We have Anita and Jesus at right back with Janmaat surely set to leave. Then Dummett and Heidara at left back. Hopefully Heidara is replaced by a new signing though.
Shamrock(Quote)
Ime just waiting for Aaron’s to follow the same path,but Ime hoping not
Icedog(Quote)
Rafa seems to really want Hendly,I think it will happen over the weekend
Icedog(Quote)
Welcome to the blog BP, and a good question to raise.
I’ll throw a name into the mix – Krul.
The lad doesn’t want to leave & providing he’s not sold, I think he’d be a good captain.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY I never thought keepers made ideal captains mate I prefer outfield players that’s in the mix keeper are to far from the action imo
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, I agree, much as Krul is a good egg we need someone in amongst the action.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – I’d probably agree in all honesty mate, but I think he’s as good a candidate as some of the other names being mentioned.
De Jong injured again?! – got to feel for that lad like. He must be truly fed up now!!. Seems like a really honest decent pro, who would want nothing more than to just play & prove has good enough.
Hope it’s nothing too serious this time.
Mbabu is a worry as well. Struggles to stay fit, but I think with Gamez & Hayden able to fill in there & Anita of course, we seem ok at RB now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy i think Krul will move on though , we have 5 keepers at the minute but how about Elliot if he stays first choice ,apparently he is one of the more vocal in the dressing room but like Icedog i dont think a keeper should be captain too . For me the new signing Matt Ritchie could come into the reckoning ,he gave up the premiership too come too us ,so already proved he really wants too be here and has won the division with Bournemouth so knows what it takes . The fact that he is an exciting player that will get the fans off their seats would help his case as Well , ( reasoning being that would lift the team too).
Life is Black and White(Quote)
Me and Kim thought there was a rabbit off when we signed him at that price at the time,bought a dud there mate his club must have laughed all the way to the bank
Icedog(Quote)
Earlier someone mentioned De Jong as a possible captain. The guy’s plainly not fit for purpose. He’s not even up to pre season training. With 4 starts in 2 years that’s cost us about £10m already. Doubt anyone will want him even if we give away.
Georgio(Quote)
So so many candidates. I think the problem is, NO ONE really stands out or jumps off the page as captain material.
There are 6 or 7 maybes and it will be up to Rafa to decide which maybe can become definitely. If you want the adventurous decision, go with Lascelles, if you want the safe option, give it Elliot assuming he’s going to stay and be first choice keeper.
Welcome to the site LIBAW, good to see fresh faces getting involved in the discussions.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
You know I was thinking that maybe Ritchie could get it too. If he turns out a bit like Nolan was , which I suspect he may well do, then he could be the perfect choice so long as the lads don’t mind it going to a newbee .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Hello mate & welcome to the blog.
I know that Krul is desperate to stay, so will not leave if he is forced out or a big bid comes in. I think you are right about Elliott being a voice in the team but I don’t think his position commands that responsibility personally – but I like your Ritchie call. I didn’t even consider him to be honest, but he could be a good call.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nice article Bellamy’s Pride. Rafa will have a few in mind I would think. Who is vocal on the pitch and in the dressing room? Lascelles could be the man for the future. Right now I would say it should be an older player such as Colback or what about Elliot? I would say Krul but I still think he might be off.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
De Jong is a real mystery to me. How could he have come to us so out of shape? And then all the injuries. The fire seems to be gone. Possible a season in the Championship will get him going again. He’s still only 27 and has 4 years left on his contract.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Talk of Hendly putting in a transfer request to get toon move,like it when players want to come and play for us
Icedog(Quote)
Can’t get over the carnage in Nice, all he needed was a truck, no bomb, no gun 🙁
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice , yeah I read a few days ago he is desperate to come
Kimtoon(Quote)
Are you telling me Fergy at Man U didn’t need Keane on the field to keep pushing his ideology?
So all of these years the inspirational captains like shearer, Keane, Gerrard, Viera, Tony Adams etc have been a waste of time…lol that’s barmy mate
Gashley(Quote)
It’s frightening mate I think large gatherings have to be very aware,I even worry about football grounds now wouldn’t be surprised if they made targets of football crowds
Icedog(Quote)
If it’s not Lascelles than Tiote for me. IF he’s still here and can play like he did towards the end of the season
Gashley(Quote)
Ice, agree mate, worrying times
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kanye gone to Chelsea 32 mil 😯 😯
Icedog(Quote)
Kante
Icedog(Quote)
Leicester will have a fight on their hands to hang on to any decent players, at least Vardy has signed a new contract.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Surely Hanley isn’t the only CB we’re looking at? He does look a good size and age mind. I hope we can get him. Surely worth raising the offer to 6M pounds?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
A nightmare being in the French security services. They must be worried to death and sleepless. How to protect the entire population? Not possible sadly.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Just looking back at the players we had for the last relegations season. I think we’ll actually be a lot stronger this time round. But that points record will be hard to beat. We had some long winning runs that season and tore the division apart in the second half.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Has been said he has been looking at Flint from B/City but imo will cost the same backbone of City like but young
Icedog(Quote)
There is no honour in killing and maiming hoards of innocent, defenseless civilians and children – many if which were probably of the same ‘faith’ as the attacker in the Nice incident and many other incidents across the globe in recent years. It is blood thirsty, pointless loss of life only intended to make the individual and a handful of inciters feel important and powerful. But they are not. They are just desparate, gullible failures.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham , The first person he mowed down was a Muslim women oddly enough.
It has zero to do with honour or religious beliefs, they say it is but it isn’t. It’s all about control through fear, just like a rapist or perpetrator of domestic violence or child abuser. That’s their level and that’s being kind to them. That and all the other previous attacks have nothing to do with true Islamic faith as I understand it. I hope in the last seconds of his pitiful life he saw nothing but darkness and that the reality of what death means hit home.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Norwich bid the 6 mil B/Burn are asking their assistant manager was at B/Burn last season so knows the lad well
Icedog(Quote)
I agree 100% mate,your on the money there
Icedog(Quote)
I agree with Gashley about Toite being named captain next season. Why should we get rid of him for a small amount of money ? Or Krul are longest serving player.
Terry(Quote)
Geordie two I think Siem De Jong milking the club for every penny he can get mate. He should of retired after his collapsed lung imo but he was offered a descent salary and a 5 year contract so it’s his last pay day. How did Carr not see this coming ?
Terry(Quote)
The transfer markets open and Siem De Jong is injured again. Its like he planned it or something. He just lets the others do the hard work and gives nothing back. A player we are stuck with until his contract runs out.
Terry(Quote)
I bought his first CD but it wouldn’t play. I took that as a sign and have never listened to a song of his ever. I am not even sure if I have heard him on the radio.
Eric Sykes(Quote)