McAnuff- New captain

[Schards#2]

His game, and role in the team, isn't one that lends itself to being the one who grabs the game by the scruff of the neck because, as a winger, you rely so much on decent possession from those around you.

Which makes it all the more bizarre that Brian picked him as captain

Agree BF. I think the reason is that his character around the squad for the rest of the week and all the other stuff that a captain does makes him the best candidate.

I don't think he's as quiet on the pitch as many are making out, although he definitely isn't a ranter and raver, and I don't think that's half as important as others seem to think either.

The upshot is that, there doesn't seem to be anyone better in the squad to do the job. Who else would've been better?

Karacan, or, if he's going to play every week, Pearce.

[Hoop Blah]

Well those two suggestions kind of show why he went for McAnuff really didn't they?

Pretty much everyone destroyed Rodgers for giving Pearce the vice-captians role (admittedly two years ago) which meant that, when Ingimarssion was out for a lengthy time, he was wearing the armband every week. Although he also comes across as level headed and a good organiser (and has rightly been captain for other sides at Reading) is it a good idea to lump the responsibility on such young shoulders? Is his game strong enough to make himself a fixture on the teamsheet? I'd suggest that his recent performances would've said no, and imagine the abuse he'd be getting as captain now!

As for Karacan, again, he looks like a more natural captain by virtue of the way he plays. Is he mature enough to deal with all the rest of it? Would it hamper his development having to do all the off pitch stuff? He's been one of our better players this season (and harshly treated by McDermott at times as well IMO) but enthusiasm isn't the only requirement for the role. He's always been the one McDermott has replaced when looking to make us a bit more attacking. Do you want to be taking your captain off at a time when you need him on the pitch driving us on to claw back a goal etc?

Ultimately the armband shouldn't stop those players organising and driving others on whilst they're on the the pitch. Sidwell, Harper and Ingimarsson all played their part whilst Murty was captain so if there are other suitable leaders on the pitch the armband shouldn't stop them having a positive effect.

[Wycombe Royal]

I supported the choice of McAnuff as captain, but on Saturday any remaining support went. When we went 2-0 down I looked to McAnuff for a reaction. I expected to see him rallying the troops, telling them they still had chance, having a go at whoever was supposed to me marking Eustace, and so on.

But what was he doing? Trudging back to the half way line his head down and shoulders slumped. Real captains do not do that.

The question is will McD have the balls to do something about it?

[Schards#2]

Well those two suggestions kind of show why he went for McAnuff really didn't they?

Pretty much everyone destroyed Rodgers for giving Pearce the vice-captians role (admittedly two years ago) which meant that, when Ingimarssion was out for a lengthy time, he was wearing the armband every week. Although he also comes across as level headed and a good organiser (and has rightly been captain for other sides at Reading) is it a good idea to lump the responsibility on such young shoulders? Is his game strong enough to make himself a fixture on the teamsheet? I'd suggest that his recent performances would've said no, and imagine the abuse he'd be getting as captain now!

As for Karacan, again, he looks like a more natural captain by virtue of the way he plays. Is he mature enough to deal with all the rest of it? Would it hamper his development having to do all the off pitch stuff? He's been one of our better players this season (and harshly treated by McDermott at times as well IMO) but enthusiasm isn't the only requirement for the role. He's always been the one McDermott has replaced when looking to make us a bit more attacking. Do you want to be taking your captain off at a time when you need him on the pitch driving us on to claw back a goal etc?

Ultimately the armband shouldn't stop those players organising and driving others on whilst they're on the the pitch. Sidwell, Harper and Ingimarsson all played their part whilst Murty was captain so if there are other suitable leaders on the pitch the armband shouldn't stop them having a positive effect.

There isn't an ideal captain in the squad at the moment, maybe Gorkks once he's settled in, but, in the absence of a perfect candidate I would rather see a captain with some fight in him and I see that more in Pearce and Karacan than McAnuff.

[Ian Royal]

No apology or answer to my question from the ever gracious and insightful RL I see. A lady who seems incapable of understanding that a player can do something multiple times in a game and that the number of games played is irrelevant to the term plenty as it's about the context of the amount played, not absolute numbers that matter.

For example, McAnuff busting a gut to get back 2 or 3 times when he lost the ball against Millwall is plenty in the context of losing it 3 or 4 times in dangerous situations in total, in one match.

I won't be holding my breath for the apology, I don't want to die of oxygen deprivation.

[Schards#2]

No apology or answer to my question from the ever gracious and insightful RL I see. A lady who seems incapable of understanding that a player can do something multiple times in a game and that the number of games played is irrelevant to the term plenty as it's about the context of the amount played, not absolute numbers that matter.

For example, McAnuff busting a gut to get back 2 or 3 times when he lost the ball against Millwall is plenty in the context of losing it 3 or 4 times in dangerous situations in total, in one match.

I won't be holding my breath for the apology, I don't want to die of oxygen deprivation.

Give it a try.

[Royal Lady]

I haven't seen ANY evidence THIS season of McAnuff being a good captain - I thought THAT was the subject in discussion here. He doesn't even track back that often - Millwall was probably an exception to the rule! And it was the first game of the season. He doesn't gee up the players and he doesn't play with passion at the moment. If you want to start splitting hairs (LOL) about what consititutes "geeing" someone up, I'd still have to argue that being heard above the other players is a must.

[leicsRoyal]

I don't want a captain who is a role model off the pitch!

Give me a captain that can lift the whole team through a mixture of their own performance and ability to motivate those around them.


Just not sure we've got anyone that fits!


(maybe Gorkss)

[Ian Royal]

I haven't seen ANY evidence THIS season of McAnuff being a good captain - I thought THAT was the subject in discussion here. He doesn't even track back that often - Millwall was probably an exception to the rule! And it was the first game of the season. He doesn't gee up the players and he doesn't play with passion at the moment. If you want to start splitting hairs (LOL) about what consititutes "geeing" someone up, I'd still have to argue that being heard above the other players is a must.

I gave you an example of one game, I've seen him do it in others too. He does talk to the players, I've seen him do it in all the games I've seen, he doesn't shout, but that doesn't mean he isn't telling them what to do. He does his talking in breaks in play. He's not there to marshal the defence during play.

Just be honest and say you've decided you don't like him, you're not interested in challenging the opinion you've already made and you're going to keep ignoring any examples given to you which counter your view that he never tracks back and never communicates to his team mates.

Excellent contribution from Schards as always in the family tag team approach.

[Royal Lady]

On the contrary, I like McAnuff - it's not his fault he was chosen as captain - but the fact remains that he is not a natural leader of a team. And however much you may argue the point, I haven't seen him geeing up players or getting players to move into positions or anything. So we'll have to beg to differ on that I'm afraid.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

...interesting to see Colin has made Barton captain in place of Taarabt ....

..hardly in the door ,but he's been made captain, and Colin isn't worried about upsetting the ego that is Taarabt...

...maybe BM can show some similar decisive action ........doubt it though

[Sarah Star]

...interesting to see Colin has made Barton captain in place of Taarabt ....

..hardly in the door ,but he's been made captain, and Colin isn't worried about upsetting the ego that is Taarabt...

...maybe BM can show some similar decisive action ........doubt it though

Barton, like Mills, needs to be captain for himself, not the team. Remains to be seen what this will do to Taarabt... and the rest of QPR.

[Royals-lad14]

None of which Jobi does!!!

-He doesnt play to his maxium (Doesnt wear his heart on his sleeve one bit)
-He doesnt Jeer anyone up
-He never points out things to players
-
His mouth is 98% shut
His passing = poor
Cant beat a man for toffee
The only thing he changes on the field throughout the game is the height of his armband

disagree with most of that nonsense completely. i agree he doesnt play to his maximum but i always see him put a lot of effort in and he has always said he puts 110% in. i think he can perform a lot better but i do think he is wearing his shirt on his sleeve. I see him communicate with players all the times so uve completely lost me there. He pointed out things to players on Saturday i saw him, i think someone has already mentioned it but he said to alf at a throw in to split the defenders which he did so another think that i disagree with u on. His mouth is not shut whatsoever. His passing could definately be improved agree with that. Finally i think tbh he was a lot more effective then Kebe was on Saturday, he put some decent crosses in, however i see where u are coming from as he seems to play with a bit of fear as well when running at defenders. However i do see him cut inside a lot and out pace his man but he too often releases the ball too late. I still think he needs to improve in some aspects of his game but about the captaincy issue i have no issue at all, people were always saying ledge would be a great captain? he has been even worse than jobi.

[Elmer Park]

I have said elsewhere on this board that we are overstating the whole on field Captaincy issue and I stand by that.

However, playing devil's advocate I have just heard the BBCRB RFC podcast on which Murty was asked whose responsibility it was now to lift the team this week. He said the Manager of course but then named Jem Karacan, because of his character and Brynjar Gunnarsson because of his experience. No mention of the current Captain. Just saying.

[Hoop Blah]

Interesting comment to make. First time I've heard anyone possibly question McAnuff.

I'd hazard a guess that it might be for two innocent reasons (as opposed to suggesting that McAnuff isn't the right man to lift them). Firstly, Karacan is a lively and bubbly character and so his natural manner might be the reason Muurty picked him out. In Murty's day it probably would've been more Harper and Little who would be picking up the mood after a few defeats, not so much Murty himself as skipper.

Secondly, the two players he mentions are those he worked with quite a bit during his time at the club. I've no idea how well he knows McAnuff and so the names that came to mind for him would be the ones he knows more about and the ones he has a good idea over how they'll be reacting.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

...interesting to see Colin has made Barton captain in place of Taarabt ....

..hardly in the door ,but he's been made captain, and Colin isn't worried about upsetting the ego that is Taarabt...

...maybe BM can show some similar decisive action ........doubt it though

Barton, like Mills, needs to be captain for himself, not the team. Remains to be seen what this will do to Taarabt... and the rest of QPR.

....it will make Taarabt understand he can't have everything he wants and it will make QPR a better team imo ...more chance of Barton getting respect from the new squad than ego Tarrabt...who definitely did play for himself !

[moonwalklikebas]

None of which Jobi does!!!

-He doesnt play to his maxium (Doesnt wear his heart on his sleeve one bit)
-He doesnt Jeer anyone up
-He never points out things to players
-
His mouth is 98% shut
His passing = poor
Cant beat a man for toffee
The only thing he changes on the field throughout the game is the height of his armband

disagree with most of that nonsense completely. i agree he doesnt play to his maximum but i always see him put a lot of effort in and he has always said he puts 110% in. i think he can perform a lot better but i do think he is wearing his shirt on his sleeve. I see him communicate with players all the times so uve completely lost me there. He pointed out things to players on Saturday i saw him, i think someone has already mentioned it but he said to alf at a throw in to split the defenders which he did so another think that i disagree with u on. His mouth is not shut whatsoever. His passing could definately be improved agree with that. Finally i think tbh he was a lot more effective then Kebe was on Saturday, he put some decent crosses in, however i see where u are coming from as he seems to play with a bit of fear as well when running at defenders. However i do see him cut inside a lot and out pace his man but he too often releases the ball too late. I still think he needs to improve in some aspects of his game but about the captaincy issue i have no issue at all, people were always saying ledge would be a great captain? he has been even worse than jobi.

Have you been watching any games recently?????

saying he puts in 110% is insane, 75% at a push!
His mouth is always shut, opens only to chat to ledge in the middle. When a captain needs to communicate most is when his team is losing and with Jobi that doesnt happen. His shoulders drop and he strolls back to half way line. Leaving Karacan to clap in hands and get the team going like harps used to do. And that is why the 106 team was so successful, there wasnt just one good leader in murts, there was Ingi, sidders, harps, bryn and doyle and that list could go on. Look at the squad now and Jem and Gorkss are the only two. and jobi is certainly not in that list. I think without the armband he will improve on the pitch.

[Royal Lady]

Well, apparently, we're wrong - because Ian Royal has been to 5 games this season and every single game McAnuff is talking to the players - and generally being a "captain". Jobi must do all this talking behind his hand or something, because I've not seen it.

[Sarah Star]

Sorry RL, but I've seen him do this too. I get the feeling that because he doesn't spend his time shouting into player's faces it gets overlooked. Maybe he needs to flag up to the crowd when he does it.

[Friday's Legacy]

McDermott: Lay off Jobi McAnuff

Brian McDermott has told a small section of fans calling for captain Jobi McAnuff's head to lay-off the midfielder and get behind the team.

McAnuff has come under criticism following his performances during Reading’s four-game losing streak with some supporters questioning his ability to lead the side.

However, manager McDermott has been quick to defend the 29-year-old, who is likely to lead out his side against former club Watford at Madejski Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

“That’s a shame that some people are criticising Jobi,” confessed McDermott.

“I can’t do anything about it if that’s what they are doing. For me, football is a strange business.

“In May last season I was talked about being a manager doing a good job.

“Then, you lose three league games on the trot and the manager is questioned. Then the captain is questioned. and the team is questioned.

“That seems to be the way things are and I’m well aware of that, I’ve been in the business for 34 years.”

Just last week McDermott told getreading that he was still searching for that winning formula after having to cope with the loss of Shane Long and Matt Mills – as well as other key players this summer.

And he has asked for patience from the fans as he goes about rebuilding his side following their play-off final defeat at Wembley to Swansea City in May.

“We really need the fans behind us, we really do,” pleaded McDermott.

“I was criticised when I first got this job because no-one knew who I was apparently and then I didn’t win a game for five matches.

“I’m sure people were saying give the job to someone else. I’ve had plenty of praise as well and I can live with both.

“I prefer the praise, but the criticism comes with the territory.”

September looks like it could be a key month in Royals’ season with winnable games at home to Watford and Doncaster Rovers, followed by away trips to Coventry City and Bristol City.

Sean Dyche’s Hornets, Andy Thorn’s Sky Blues and Sean O’Driscoll’s Rovers are currently all below Reading in the Championship table and are occupying the bottom three spots.

if jobi actually opened his mouth on the pitch and tried to act like a captain perhaps more people would back him than get on his back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL-iKlyXwHU