Comments on: Is the role of captain overrated? http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html World Cup South Africa 2010 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:45:51 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jean-François http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579064 Jean-François Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:26:26 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579064 I also agree with lenses, it is important for organization. For some nations a captain is very important, culture plays a lot into it. However, I would like for captaincy to be optional. Mainly because some teams simply do not have a leader to assemble around. Take my team for example, France, Thierry Henry is a great figure in world sports, but he really isn't team captain material. He does not make decisions on the field often for other players. Our previous captain, Zidane, was a natural leader, and France rallied around him, so he was easily the best choice for captain. And everyone saw what he did for and against our team. More specifically, this whole story about John Terry is just a media tabloid. They exploited Thierry Henry first, then John Terry, who is next? Anyhow, all these things must be set aside, because for footballers, everything else is secondary to the world cup. I also agree with lenses, it is important for organization. For some nations a captain is very important, culture plays a lot into it.

However, I would like for captaincy to be optional. Mainly because some teams simply do not have a leader to assemble around. Take my team for example, France, Thierry Henry is a great figure in world sports, but he really isn’t team captain material. He does not make decisions on the field often for other players. Our previous captain, Zidane, was a natural leader, and France rallied around him, so he was easily the best choice for captain. And everyone saw what he did for and against our team.

More specifically, this whole story about John Terry is just a media tabloid. They exploited Thierry Henry first, then John Terry, who is next? Anyhow, all these things must be set aside, because for footballers, everything else is secondary to the world cup.

]]> By: lenses14 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579060 lenses14 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:03:18 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579060 I think the role of captain is important to the organization of the team. Most people naturally look up to the captain, even if someone else is motivating everyone and doing all the talking. (About the media explosion, I understand...the people in the US went through it with the Tiger Woods scandal. And that was before Christmas, so "family values" was even more emphasized! And as I am sure you're aware, it wasn't just in the sports programs! <I>Everyone</I> had an opinion on it, or a joke about it...even some college professors) I think the role of captain is important to the organization of the team. Most people naturally look up to the captain, even if someone else is motivating everyone and doing all the talking.

(About the media explosion, I understand…the people in the US went through it with the Tiger Woods scandal. And that was before Christmas, so “family values” was even more emphasized!

And as I am sure you’re aware, it wasn’t just in the sports programs! Everyone had an opinion on it, or a joke about it…even some college professors)

]]> By: David http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579055 David Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:14:02 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579055 These are cultural differences we're talking about. England idolizes Bobby Moore, and it seems there's a deeply-ingrained cultural belief that they need another Bobby Moore figure to win any major tournament. At least some of the captaincy hysteria owes itself to a nation wanting another Bobby Moore. Terry was a polarizing figure to begin with--and with club footy there being the stuff that creates enemies amongst friends every weekend--how can they possibly find a player they can all rally behind? In short, they never could, which makes this debate all the more aimless and silly. Think about the NBA for a moment. Was Michael Jordan the Bulls captain? Who knows? Was he the captain of Team USA at the Olympics? Who cares? Point is, leaders will do what they're inclined to do: they lead. JT doesn't need an armband to be a leader. And if England shock the world and win the WC, Rio will hold the trophy. Does this means he's their modern-day Bobby Moore? Of course not. A snapshot doesn't change the reality that he too is a divisive figure. It's all a big waste of time and energy. These are cultural differences we’re talking about. England idolizes Bobby Moore, and it seems there’s a deeply-ingrained cultural belief that they need another Bobby Moore figure to win any major tournament. At least some of the captaincy hysteria owes itself to a nation wanting another Bobby Moore. Terry was a polarizing figure to begin with–and with club footy there being the stuff that creates enemies amongst friends every weekend–how can they possibly find a player they can all rally behind? In short, they never could, which makes this debate all the more aimless and silly.

Think about the NBA for a moment. Was Michael Jordan the Bulls captain? Who knows? Was he the captain of Team USA at the Olympics? Who cares? Point is, leaders will do what they’re inclined to do: they lead. JT doesn’t need an armband to be a leader. And if England shock the world and win the WC, Rio will hold the trophy. Does this means he’s their modern-day Bobby Moore? Of course not. A snapshot doesn’t change the reality that he too is a divisive figure.

It’s all a big waste of time and energy.

]]> By: Cece http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579047 Cece Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:12:22 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579047 I'm with Francesco, the role of the captain really depends on the league/country I’m with Francesco, the role of the captain really depends on the league/country

]]> By: sscouser http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579045 sscouser Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:37:28 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579045 Correctio: First sentence should read: when I used to be a captain of a soccer team Correctio: First sentence should read: when I used to be a captain of a soccer team

]]> By: graham http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579044 graham Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:35:54 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579044 perhaps it matters more when a team is struggling in some way and looks to the captain to lead by example? so man utd's recent success serves as an example as they seem to rotate the armband at will depending on who is playing? perhaps it matters more when a team is struggling in some way and looks to the captain to lead by example? so man utd’s recent success serves as an example as they seem to rotate the armband at will depending on who is playing?

]]> By: sscouser http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579043 sscouser Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:35:51 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579043 When I used to be a captain of a soccer team captain: Powers, Responsibilities and Duties: 1.Functioned as the team captain in all soccer games: approaching the center official with a small degree of advice, information and questions on behalf of the team. 2.Ensured that my team members exhibited only the highest level of sportsmanship on the field, including honesty, fair play, competitiveness and respect for the opposing team, officials and team mates. 3.Ensured on and off the field, that players represented our club with dignity. 4.Recommended to the team manager to hold a disciplinary meeting regarding any member of the team that did not exhibit the type of sportsmanship expected. Back to the fuss about John Terry. Is it because he plays for Chelsea (you either love or hate Chelsea)? :D When I used to be a captain of a soccer team captain:

Powers, Responsibilities and Duties:
1.Functioned as the team captain in all soccer games: approaching the center official with a small degree of advice, information and questions on behalf of the team.
2.Ensured that my team members exhibited only the highest level of sportsmanship on the field, including honesty, fair play, competitiveness and respect for the opposing team, officials and team mates.
3.Ensured on and off the field, that players represented our club with dignity.
4.Recommended to the team manager to hold a disciplinary meeting regarding any member of the team that did not exhibit the type of sportsmanship expected.

Back to the fuss about John Terry. Is it because he plays for Chelsea (you either love or hate Chelsea)? :D

]]> By: Andrew http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579040 Andrew Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:08:00 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579040 The captain needs to be someone the team respects as a person and as a leader. If that doesn't happen, when things are going bad, it is very easy to get discouraged. I also think it benefits a team to have a very intelligent captain; if there is someone smarter than the person making the decisions there can be questioning of leadership ability. The captain needs to be someone the team respects as a person and as a leader. If that doesn’t happen, when things are going bad, it is very easy to get discouraged.

I also think it benefits a team to have a very intelligent captain; if there is someone smarter than the person making the decisions there can be questioning of leadership ability.

]]> By: Jose76 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579039 Jose76 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:45:36 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579039 That's along the lines of what I would say. How much who the captain is matters really depends on the team. That’s along the lines of what I would say. How much who the captain is matters really depends on the team.

]]> By: Francesco http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html/comment-page-1#comment-579038 Francesco Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:33:08 +0000 http://www.worldcupblog.org/general-banter/is-the-role-of-captain-overrated.html#comment-579038 I think it's a culture thing. In some football cultures the captain is valued more than others. In Italy most of the time the armband isn't given to the player that is the best leader but just to the player that has been at the club the longest. It's a seniority thing. Take Milan for example. After Maldini's retirement, the big debate was whether to give the armband to Ambrosini or Gattuso. Sure Gattuso seemed a slightly better choice because of his fiery personality and how he gives 110% on the pitch, but Ambrosini was given the armband since he was at the club longer. There are exceptions of course like in all things (like Totti getting the armband for Roma at a young age). On the Italian national team it works based on caps like you mentioned. The most capped player (currently Cannavaro) is the captain, and when he is absent the armband goes to the player with the second highest caps (usually Buffon). I think it’s a culture thing. In some football cultures the captain is valued more than others. In Italy most of the time the armband isn’t given to the player that is the best leader but just to the player that has been at the club the longest. It’s a seniority thing. Take Milan for example. After Maldini’s retirement, the big debate was whether to give the armband to Ambrosini or Gattuso. Sure Gattuso seemed a slightly better choice because of his fiery personality and how he gives 110% on the pitch, but Ambrosini was given the armband since he was at the club longer. There are exceptions of course like in all things (like Totti getting the armband for Roma at a young age). On the Italian national team it works based on caps like you mentioned. The most capped player (currently Cannavaro) is the captain, and when he is absent the armband goes to the player with the second highest caps (usually Buffon).

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