The Leeds United Captaincy Race
One of Neil Warnock’s first observation as manager was that Leeds United lacked leaders on the pitch. This has prompted many to conclude a change of captaincy is likely to coincide with his appointment as manager, including the Yorkshire Evening Post who have started a poll on the subject with Andy Lonergan, Danny Pugh, Tom Lees, Adam Clayton and Robert Snodgrass considered to be the contenders.
Aside from Robert Snodgrass, I’d be incredibly surprised if Neil Warnock went with any of the names on that list. Danny Pugh and Adam Clayton might be in with an outside chance, but Pugh will most likely remain a utility player, which I think will rule him out, and Adam Clayton is a little too bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to be bellowing orders at some of the lads in this team.
As for the other two, well, Neil Warnock’s statement that we “need leaders” surely rules Andy Lonergan out, whilst the only thing making Tom Lees captain-material is his inability to smile – a surly disposition on it’s own doesn’t quite cut it for me.
That leaves us looking outside the players that the YEP consider contenders, at individuals who perhaps didn’t feature too often in Simon Grayson’s side, but who immediately stand-out as a more obvious choice for the armband. I’m thinking of course, of Andy O’Brien and Michael Brown.
Both these players are vastly experienced footballers whose experience alone commands the respect of those around them. Moreover, they both have experience of being captain – Andy O’Brien (albeit briefly) at Bolton Wanderers and Michael Brown at Fulham.
They have two markedly different approaches to leadership, which may prove decisive. Andy O’Brien is your calm and composed lead-by-example kind of captain – much like Jonny Howson before him – whilst Michael Brown is your uncompromising. tough-tackling, in-your-face option, not shy of issuing orders at his fellow team-mates – as was immediately evident in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Doncaster Rovers.
It could well be the case that Neil Warnock brings in someone new, but out of the players currently at his disposal, who do you think it should be?
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Since Howson left (and even before that) I've thought that Snodgrass should be Skipper. There are four solid reasons. 1. The number one priority - his place in the starting line-up is virtually assured. 2. There's a steeliness to him that suggests he wouldn't be weighed down by the captaincy or flinch from the trickier responsibilities that go with it e.g. demanding performance and dishing out orders and bollockings to get it. 3. He comes across as confident and intelligent before the media and should therefore be comfortable with that aspect of the job. 4. Through the thick and thin of several rollercoaster seasons, he alone has epitomised the true, dormant "Leeds" (our no-nonsense Yorkshire grit, clenched-fist determination, etc, etc). As a result, he enjoys iconic status among fans and, in return, shows a genuine affinity for them. That all-important connection across the touchline. I do accept the argument that leadership is needed all over the pitch but there has to be a first-among-equals and, for me, of the current contenders, Snoddy is a shoo-in.
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