22 Oct 2015 13:14:28
Question for Ed001: I note that you feel that Lucas would have been the right guy to captain the squad but also read, I think, that you would not change it now. What is it you feel that Lucas has above Henderson (who I personally think was the right choice with the former as vice) .

{Ed001's Note - leadership, experience, the respect of the team, attitude. I like Henderson, but I just don't think he is ready.}

1.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 13:33:26
I do like both and I definitely agree Lucas has experience, it appears he has the respect (from where I view) and he certainly has the attitude. But from the Henderson viewpoint I think that the only thing he lacks is the experience and is at least equal on all other points. Then, Henderson is the better player IMO, I know positions are different and I know you will say that it is not about the best player being captain but it helps if you are going to keep a first team place when fit and the better player would. Then on top of that, last year we lost a captain who was as good a captain as any I care to remember (I know I will be biased) but he was captain for a long time and from a young, inexperienced age. He grew with the role and with the selection/position as captain. While Hendo is not Stevie G my view is that he could also grow with it, and giving it to him now, or actually leaving it with him now, is not too early because of the mainly equal and some greater qualities he has. Like I say just a vote for Hendo and not a dig at a great ambassador for club in Lucas.

{Ed001's Note - Gerrard was an awful captain! The last thing we need is another like that. Yes he was the best player for long periods, but he was never the best captain.}

2.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 13:42:21
Really? In your view he was an "awful" captain? Wow! Of course we are all entitled to our views and the most important view for anyone is their own I guess but I am really interested on the wider reader views of this. I hope you don't mind then if I ask the collective readers. Please therefore press AGREE if you all think Stevie was an awful captain and DISAGREE if you thought he was a very decent one?

{Ed001's Note - if you really think that is a good test of it, then you need help. Carragher should have been captain, Gerrard was too quiet on the pitch.}

3.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 14:25:09
I don't suggest he was the best captain, but in his prime he did rescue us and lead by example. Yes carragher was more vocal but I wouldn't say Gerrard was awful. I know people will say trying hard isn't the only thing and he could still do the same if he wasn't captain, but when your captain is giving 100% to win a game, it encourages you to do the same. (This is not including the last few seasons mind)

{Ed001's Note - sorry but those kind of captains are not leaders, they are players and should not be captains. Leading by example is nonsense, they need to inspire by more than example.}

4.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:07:03
Carra would have been my choice. Gerrard was the best player (for certain periods) but that's not a reason to be captain.

5.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:07:34
Did ED said Gerrard was an awful captain? Lols.
You are sure and certain to get at least 50 million dislikes mate. 😂😂😂.

{Ed001's Note - who cares? I don't even see them on my side of the site.}

6.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 15:24:29
What was big Sami like as a captain Ed001? Was he vocal? Who would you say has been our best in terms of organising the team? Would Hansen be in your top 3?

{Ed001's Note - Hyypia was excellent because he was so vocal and constantly organising the team. Hansen was before my time really, though I loved him and he was very much in control of the defence. To be honest, Hyypia is the best in recent years, though I always felt Carra could have been better, given the armband.}

7.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 17:10:07
Cheers ed.

8.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 18:25:00
Would a decent captain allow one of his squad to voice an opinion in peaceful jest that differs to his own, without suggesting to him he needs help? ;)

{Ed001's Note - depends on if he assumed the squad member could read or not to know that it wasn't the differing opinion that brought that jibe. I suppose I should just give up as not one person on here bothers reading what is said....}

9.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 18:40:53
I think there is a subtle difference between a motivator and a leader. The manager should definitely be a leader no doubt but I think if you have a very decent leader off the pitch then an on field motivator is key for the 11 playing staff. Just an opinion but I think Gerard was an excellent motivator and you can absolutely "motivate by example" as I believe he did. Like I say just an opinion. For what it is worth I agree that people voting whether they thought Gerard was a very decent captain or not does not create a fact if those voting were the players in his squad then it counts significantly. I wonder therefore how his teammates might have voted? I suspect positively.

10.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 19:31:09
I agree Carra would have been the obvious choice of captain for me. The signed photo on my living room wall would testify to that! But question ed do you think Gerrard was more of a lead by example rather than vocal captain on the pitch- a la Sam Warburton for Wales and the Blues. Or do you think that type of captain doesn't translate from Rugby to football?

{Ed001's Note - I don't think it works in any sport personally. The best teams have vocal players who do more than lead by example.}

11.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 20:04:49
Being loud and over vocal does not make a good captain. In my opinion saying and doing the right things are important but they can be said without being what some consider vocal. Joey Barton for example is as vocal a player as I have seen. A decent captain? Nope! I think if your players can hear your messages of and on pitch and see your actions too off and on pitch and agree and follow them then you make a decent captain.

12.) 22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015 22:27:19
It important to have a captain that can walk the talk. If he isn't leading by example in the tough times then you can bet players will go missing. However players need a captain who is going to communicate on the field. Otherwise what is he captain for? He could just as well be a standard player.

So ideally a mix of the 2. If he is weak at communication then he needs to work on that just like any other part of his game. But in the end I reckon a good team needs to have a number of communicators (as long as they are all singing from the same page), to spread the load.