With the defection of Lucas (it seems he joined us for the money after all!), we are currently captainless. The two leading candidates for the role at the moment appear to be Upson and Parker but there are important question marks against each. In the case of Upson, he may not be a West Ham player come the big kick off. If Unreal City want him, Unreal City will get him because they will simply offer more and more until we cannot say no. As for Parker, can you really afford to appoint a guy who only makes it through 50% of your matches? What kind of example does that set?
Step forward Mark Noble. He has pushed himself up the pecking order with the U21's to the point where he has displaced vice captain Nedum Onuoha. Pearce clearly rates him as a leader and Pearce knows a thing or two about leadership.
I suspect that Noble would bring a vital ingredient to the leadership of the team. Zola offers the optimism and the spirit of adventure and Clarke offers the organisation and cynicism vital to achieving success; Noble would bring to the table passion and a genuine love for the club and its fans.
Appoint Noble and we would have a long term leader for the West Ham Project and a true 100% Hammer leading the Hammers. He has my vote for one!
19 comments:
Am I in the right blog? This is a sensible post. Nah, Can't be.
Good post.
My only concern is, if we sign Jimenez (a central midfielder) where does that leave Noble?
Assuming that Collison, Parker and Behrami are certain starters and you would imagine the new boy would be then does that not place question marks on Nobes for a starting berth?
He certainly has to be a contender, but will he be first choice every week if, and it's a big IF, we get Parker, Behrahmi, Collison, Dyer etc all fit?
That is an argument in favour. You have to find a place for your captain, as Lucas showed. Mark Noble is the 2009 version of Billy Bonds. I'm not sure the team should be built around him as such, but I think the team should be built to accommodate him. I suspect Jimenez, if signed, will be at the front of a 5 man midfield. I can see two in the middle as Noble and Parker with Behrami wide right and Savio or Collison wide left. The idea would be to get Jimenez, Collison / Savio and Noble breaking into the box and beyond the target man, with Parker and Behrami protecting the back four. Unless Behrami goes right back and Dyer is used wide right.
yeah apoint a bloke who cries all the time as captain, real strong character!
It's called passion!
He is not guaranteed a place in the team. There are a number of better players(when fit) to choose from, whether its attacking, defensive or holding and more quality on its way.
He has to establish himself as a definate first 11.
Maybe a shout for captain in a few years as he improves.
I think he has all the character traits to be a Captain but I am concerned with too much responsibility too soon. He is still young and it is different leading a club team to leading a team of people around your own age. I think a lot of the frustrations with NRC towards the end of his tenure at Upton Park may have been, partially, attributable to the pressure at such a young age. It takes a lot to lead a team that had to battle and show character week in and week out to survive the Premiership. Other youngsters around him needed to look up to him and he was having enough trouble with his own form. Like anything else, leadership should be nurtured. Part of it is wisdom and that only comes with experience. I think Mark could be our Captain, I just want to see it when he has a couple more years under his belt. Nice post Hammersfan. Cheers.
Anon above said:
its called being a baby. ill excuse john terry cos it was a champions league final and he messed it up but its hardly a good example to see your leader crying like a baby
(only the f word was used instead of messed. Care please!)
Thatcher cried when the Sheffield was hit. Does that mean she wasn't a leader?
Mark Noble for captain!
More of an evil dictator than a leader with regards to MT. Not sure Noble is ready for the captaincy just yet but a definite for the future. Think you're right about Upson and Parker though so for me that only leaves Green. Assuming we get him to sign a new contract, I think the armband could help improve his confidence and make him more assertive on the pitch.
Green as captain? No way! I'd have LBM ahead of Green!
No to noble being captain. Maybe in a couple of years time, right now he is young and inexperienced.
I would say Upson or Parker (if both around).
Definatelly Noble is out Skiper...!!!!
noble is shit captain
the captain needs to be UPSON now...clear as day..
what are u lot all thick....gees u retards
I'm not sure that the captain is that important in football, but my own preference is for a central defender and if he stays I would certainly give the job to Upson with a view to Tomkins taking over. Curbs bought players who had previous captaincy experience to get us out of trouble and I think his idea that you need captains all over the pitch has some validity. Noble fills that role for me, a leader by example...........if selected. Lucas Neill is a good example of why your captain should be able to justify his place on footballing ability.
Best post you have ever made, I think not this season, give him one more season learning under Parker and the give him the arm band
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