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For all the questions regarding the strength in depth of the current Aston Villa squad, there hasn’t been a great deal of discussion, so far as I’ve seen, about the captaincy. In truth, the role of the captain is often overblown, and it has to be said that the other highly paid professional athletes on the pitch shouldn’t need any motivation or encouragement from a colleague, but a great leader can still be worth his weight in gold.
Or points. I don’t know how much a point weighs, but let’s say that a great leader can be worth his weight in points, which is probably a few over the course of the season. Or something.
Well, step forward Dennis Mortimer, who’s been good for a few quotes recently, and someone who can certainly speak with some authority on the subject:
Dennis Mortimer
To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Stiliyan Petrov – I think he is just a ‘Steady Eddie’ as it were. I, personally, wouldn’t have him in the team. I don’t think he has the right capacity or the right style that I would want him in my team.At the top level, you need someone who is a bit more than a ‘Steady Eddie’ and especially as your captain. To me you need to generate momentum in games by the quickness of play and of mind and, for me, Petrov takes half an hour to pass the ball.
OK, so that is an exaggeration, but you get my point.
Ouch!
Actually, I feel a little uneasy saying so as Petrov seems like an absolutely top notch bloke and I can’t fault his commitment in the slightest, but I have to agree with Sir Dennis’ assessment. ‘Steady Eddie’ seems to sum him up nicely.
I was impressed in relative terms by his performance against Blackburn in Hong Kong, but that wasn’t the case against Chelsea, although no one really covered themselves in glory in the game in all fairness.
Still, it’s one thing to say that Petrov isn’t really captain material, but that’s easy, it’s only addressing half the issue, anyone can do that. The hard part is answering the question that naturally follows; if not Petrov, who?
Take you time, I can wait…
…okay, hands up if the first name that popped into your head was Richard Dunne, but you tried to dismiss that thought because, well, you know, last season and all that.
Tricky one, isn’t it?
I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts as I’m not sure we have a better alternative at the club right now. I really don’t see anyone who might make the difference between losing and drawing – or better still, drawing and winning – through sheer leadership and inspiration. Perhaps those days are gone and the “Captain Marvel” type performances are a rare occurrence in the modern era in any case.
Is Stan Petrov, one of the longest serving members of the current first team, being unfairly maligned here? Does the role of captain even really matter that much, shouldn’t these players be capable of playing to their maximum ability without further motivation week in and week out?
And to repeat the most important question; if not Petrov, who? And why?
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23 Comments to “O Captain! My Captain!”
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You do wonder whether someone like Darren Bent wouldn’t be a good shout? Bottom line, he’s one of our best, if not best, player; all the lads are going to be looking to him for that spark; he seems to be a genuinely top guy with great character, etc. In a new era, I think it would be a very positive choice. Beyond that we’d be looking at the classic “journeymen” option of a Collins/Dunne type.
bent’s an interesting suggestion. i wonder if that’s something he’d aspire to do and whether it would cause him to raise his game. don’t know, interesting though.
i think many people undervalue petrov, we were very poor when he was out through injury and suddenly when he’s back things improved – granted he’s never going to set the world alight but he does bring cohesion – i know this is one match but look at these stats from the liverpool game at the end of the season.
Team Stats
Aston Villa Liverpool
4 Total Shots 9
3 Shots on Target 3
78% Pass Accuracy 77%
37% Aerials Won 63%
2 Offsides 5
14 Fouls 11
4 Corners 5
29 Throw ins 27
11 Dribbles Won 10
18 Tackles Won 16
-
Individual Player Stats
Most Touches – Stiliyan Petrov – 96
Pass Master – Stiliyan Petrov – 67/68 (99%) (Fabian Delph – 10/10 (100%))
Worst Passing Accuracy – Darren Bent – 10/20 (50%)
Most Shots Attempted – Stiliyan Petrov – 3 (1 on target, 2 blocked)
Sharp Shooter – Stewart Downing – 1 shot, 1 goal
Most Key Passes – Ashley Young – 3
Most Successful Dribbles – 5 players – 2
Most Fouled Player – Kyle Walker – 3
Most Dispossessed Player – Luke Young – 4
Most Turnovers Won – Stiliyan Petrov – 3
Most Tackles Made – Stiliyan Petrov – 5
Most Interceptions – 4 players – 3
Most Clearances Attempted – James Collins – 8
Most Effective Clearances – Richard Dunne – 5 (100%)
Most Fouls Committed – Nigel Reo-Coker – 4
Most Long Balls Attempted – Richard Dunne – 12
Most Accurate Long Balls – Stiliyan Petrov – 11 (100%)
that’s not just one random game though, that’s almost certainly his best game, statistically speaking, for quite some time. if not, ever in claret and blue.
however, he was better towards the end of last season, that’s true. the rest provided by missing a good chunk of the middle of the season through injury might have helped.
it could also be that he was encouraged to be less conservative too.
but it’s also true that his style, generally speaking, was to slow the play down, to put his body between ball and opponent to win a free kick (and himself a breather) which rarely amounted to anything useful.
but perhaps we could look to the person taking the bulk of the free kicks for that particular failure.
all that said, the blackburn game (and perhaps the walsall game, although i didn’t see it myself) suggest that he’s developed the best understanding with makoun.
as a pairing, then, maybe they’re the best option in central midfield.
Shay Given. I know he’s new but he’s a great trainer and has won plenty points and matches on his own. Also cause he’s new the fresh/new blood mantra may apply here. Given is capable of those amazing saves that get fans and players alike on their feet.
Given is an interesting shout too. i could see the value, although i always have to wonder whether goalkeepers are the best choice for captain.
i mean, all things being equal, if you had a choice between a captain in the centre of the park and at the back, you’d probably want the fella in the middle, wouldn’t you?
if so, the question would be; does the quality of the bloke at the back outweigh the positional benefits of the bloke in the middle?
one plus of given: assuming he stays fit, he’ll be involved in a lot more games than petrov. if fit, for instance, he’ll almost certainly play every minute of all 38 league games. petrov won’t.
What I would prefer to see is someone who is an extension of the manager on the pitch. If things need changing tactically during a game he should get the nod from the manager in a ‘let’s go to plan B’ fashion. He would then shuffle the side round on the hoof and we don’t see any of those irritating last minute equalizers when we should have shut up shop
that’s a good point.
i know petrov acts has a decent conduit for communication between players and manager off the pitch, or he has in the past. not a unique talent, but important part of the job.
on the pitch, they need to be on the same page too, that’s absolutely true.
these are elements of the job that we as fans can’t possibly have a handle on.
I like Petrov and still consider him to be a fine player. But we won’t progress this season with him starting in the midfield. Frankly, I would rather see Makoun paired with Delph or Bannan than with Petrov.
i was surprised to see delph catch so much flak from the chelsea game. still a lot to prove this season though. i think he’s got bags more quality than he’s been able to show so far though.
Might be a dark horse candidate, but I’ve always fancied Collins as good Captain material. We need someone who is going to get the boys going as well as put in the effort on the pitch. Collins to me is always in the thick of things, especially (of course) in the backfield. I’ve seen him countless times giving direction on set pieces and drumming up support. He seems like a natural leader.. or maybe just a blowhard. Hard to tell lol. UTV
By the way, love the Lincoln reference/picture.
collins is an interesting one. he’s just been given the number six shirt too by the way.
and spotter’s badge to you for recognising the lincoln ref/pic!
its never the position i’m gonna suggest but for me its a given! Pun intended fully. Our new number 1 is vocal animated will inspire with his saves and from what i’ve seen over the years doesn’t like to lose. I know he’s new in the door but he’d be my choice!
given’s proven a popular choice. he’s clearly made a superb impressions. pound for pound, he’s got to be one of the best signings in recent years.
On the strength of performances i saw last season and the Blackburn game i would have said Collins too. He is always willing to go that extra mile to stop a ball whatever the cost.
But…(gulp!) why not try Ireland, new broom, new start and it may just be the motivation he needs to get his game back. After all he was devastating for Citeh before his replacements were bought in.
Yeah, the more i think about it, Ireland gets my vote!
ireland… that’s, erm, some ‘outside the box’ thinking there, sam!
Hey, 3 months ago i would have laughed you out of town for saying AM would be our new boss!!
excellent point.
well i would give to gabby it might give him the inspiration to start banging in the goals and to he is one player who stayed loyall towards the club, and make petrov vice captain.
Heskey if he finds form… Nice guy, selfless, but probably not enough drive to succeed
Scott Parker….buy him and make him captain!
Other than that we are really scraping the barrel for someone to lead us on the pitch. If I had to choose from the current squad it would have to be……..nope can’t think of a single one!!
Have to say I totally agree with Mortimers views on Petrov. Slows thins down, throws his body in the way alright but clumsily, very rarely attempts to go around a player and when he does he throws himself to the deck looking for a free, actually he spends a high percentage of the game on the deck. His shooting is woeful, seems to slice everything, We need and deserve much better than this in the engine room.