Who is our leader on the field?

[daveshads]

I started this post as an offshoot from a response I made recently. Do any of us believe that we DO have a leader on the field? If we do I am at a loss as to who that might be.
As Stainrod replied to my original post, we have had some really good leaders over the decades and success has coincided with those. But it seems now, that we may be underestimating how important that role is, particularly so when you have several young players.
We seem to have nobody encouraging/putting their arms around a player who is struggling. At the same time, nobody dishing out the necessary stick when required.
I believe our squad is promising but particularly lacking in this area. We need this role filled, in my humble opinion, much more than we need any specialist positions filled.
Very interested in your take gentlemen.

[cross it Dave]

Cook Dunne & maybe Frey

[72bus]

No way are any of the above leaders , dunne is a moaner don't see him encouraging.
Cook and Frey are not very vocal . I don't see one in the team .
Remember Arsenals invincibles saying they had leaders all over the pitch and it was key to their success.

[Dono77]

A leader can only be someone who can both do their own job and then tell others to do likewise. We don't have anyone at present who can do this. Dunne is having an awful season so far.

Looks clumsy and out of his depth. He is the weak link in our defence this season and teams are targeting him non stop. Cook can lead but is struggling to maintain his own form.

Hayden has leadership qualities but he won't play enough games imo.

[72bus]

And it can't be taught , u either have it or u don't.
I was a average footballer but played with some real warriors that encouraged and were in your ear for 90 mins

[daveshads]

It's a really important issue. Only possibilities I can see ..

Mbengue - Possibility
Hayden - Maybe the most likely we have.
Edwards - if we get him - but then does he have it in him?
ND - If he stays - not sure though.

We must find a resolution for several reasons to this and particularly in order to stop us going into those lengthy passive periods that blight our performances.

Our leader on the field needs to take on the captaincy role. I hope I am wrong but mid table is the best we can hope for the way things are.

[SheepRanger]

Why not Morrison?

Hes a young guy who will hopefully be at the club for many years to come, and plays in a central position.

[Abseits]

I think folks are forgetting a leader needs to set an example with their own standard of play. How or why would any player listen to or respect a leader who can't trap a ball or pass straight or goes missing during games?

I'm afraid far too many of our players just aren't performing consistently at a satisfactory level to justify being our leader. I'd suggest Hayden but he doesn't appear to be fit enough to play every game.

A long shot could possibly be Chair if he can put all his injuries behind him and play regularly. He's been here forever and grown up and matured into a senior player/person about the place.

[daveshads]

Chair - mmm, maybe. But somebody has to do the job.
I read this morning that Liverpool's current issues are being put down to a lack of leadership on the field.

[72bus]

Just looked at the squad , don't see any leaders .
But you never know unless u get in the changing room

[daveshads]

Fair point. I guess they are not easy to come by. But not having one might explain some of our ongoing and long standing deficiencies. Such as passiveness particularly.
I would still try Hayden. Second choice Chair (just to see). Our current captain is a good player on his day but absolutely not captain material.