Manager Ian Holloway has confirmed that he has a number of options for who will be our captain this season, but he’s made no decision yet.
Speaking to NewsatDen our manager admitted that both Nicky Bailey and goalkeeper David Forde figured on his short list of potentials, as does Alan Dunne.
‘Whoever my captain is needs to be fit and play a lot of games, captains don’t really talk that much when they’re not playing.’
Presumably this rules our former shared skippers Paul Robinson and Danny Shittu who ended last season as non regular members for differing reasons.
‘Robbo and Danny have both been captain but they didn’t play at the end which is a strange scenario. they are great lads and I’m sure they’ll accept whatever I do.’
Holloway goes on to describe Bailey as somebody who ‘probably does more talking’ than anyone else at the club, including the non playing staff I think.
‘He’s loud and he’s a good organiser and that’s especially important in midfield because most of them are too quiet.’
Holloway goes on to say again though that really he wants to develop 11 captains in every line up, so the armband is more to do with off pitch issues, rather than a specific on pitch role.
‘It’s a small thing in football, in a good team you’ve got to have lots of communication and that’s what we’re working on. But we do need to have a voice in the right place.’
Holloway adds that despite having a shortlist of potential players for the role, what he looks for now is for players to naturally show their leadership over pre season and step up to make his decision even more tricky because his short list would grow.
As for Fordey, Ollie knows arguably he’s an ideal candidate, but being between the sticks he knows he won’t always be heard at the other end, so he’s toying with the idea of making him Club Captain and the conduit for players in the dressing room and then selecting a team captain, but that’s only an idea at this stage.
‘For long periods last year we were leaderless on the pitch and that’s down to the players, not the manager. No team should have to be rudderless and they should take responsibility themselves.’
Fans will remember that when Holloway came in he asked the players to sign a personal contract with him, it sounds like the clauses in that contract for this season have grown as he builds towards his own aims for the club and our improvement.
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Holloway – Armband Is Up For Grabs
