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Posted: **29 Sep 2025, 19:30**

As much as I, and I'm reasonably certain most of us on here love the bloke, Is Bowen REALLY captain material?
CPP may have proven to be somewhat of a fraud managerial wise, but was he wrong in stating that Bowen isn't really up to being team captain?
Apart from being our 'best' player, I honestly don't think he was given the armband for any other reason as we all know he'll always be the first on the teamsheet (and that includes potato salad and JWP).
Does the 'best' player necessarily make an ideal choice to captain the team?
Is it time to hand the armband over? And if so, to whom?
Am fully expecting a cսnt in the bastard.

Posted: **02 Oct 2025, 10:19**

I think many of us are overlooking the fact that the problem with a lack of leadership wasn't Bowen but Potter. Nuno has already shown more leadership and strength of purpose in a few days than Potter did in a few months.
Okay, so Bowen isn't an "in your face" kind of leader on the pitch but he leads by example and that, along with the new manager's strong leadership, is good enough for me.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 18:31**

I still miss that bastard Lucas Neill.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 18:29**

You have to look at a perfect example of what a great captain is and choose somebody like him. Our greatest captain was Bobby Moore, so pick somebody like him Simple! Taking your criteria into account, who in the current squad would you suggest then?

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 17:43**

You have to look at a perfect example of what a great captain is and choose somebody like him. Our greatest captain was Bobby Moore, so pick somebody like him Simple!

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 17:20**

Nobody wants kilman. But he is an experienced club captain and should be able to handle it, and was probably recruited for that role - so why the fuck is he mincing around the place.
So yes as others have implied, "Captain" just a symbolic role now for your best player - in our case Bowen. In Wolves case, at that time it was Kilman.

We need to sign a leader.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 16:40**

Does the 'best' player necessarily make an ideal choice to captain the team?
- No.

Is it time to hand the armband over?
- If there is someone more suitable, then yes.

And if so, to whom?
- There isn't anyone. So Bowen it is.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 16:24**

Pacqueta is the best choice . If jarrod becomes club captain. Like Fernandes at the Mancs. he'd be constantly be in the ears of the officials which helps .

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 15:49**

Quality defences (in a back 4) are always built on 2 decent Centre Halves not one. Kilman needs a reliable partner that either turns up on time to Training and doesn't fight with Coaches or isn't an accident waiting to happen defensively. I'm hoping Igor can be a much needed welcome addition to support Kilman at the back if the back 4 formation stays the main system at the back.

Todibo should be that man but time and again he proves how unprofessional and unift he is to the cause. Maybe Nuno can give him a rocket up the arae to sort his shit out. He's got that about him and if not he'll stay out in the cold no doubt.

January cannot come soon enough..

Kilman doesn’t need the added distraction of captaincy, leave it to Bowen.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 15:46**

I agree Kilman is not captain material, in fact he barely gets in my team.

Soucek would be a good choice.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 15:44**

Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 12:56
El Scorchio" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 12:10
Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:28
Kilman?! Probably the worst choice of the lot.

Oh I agree he's absolutely not a good fit for it but that's the point. We have basically no-one to choose from who meets the criteria of being

a) captain material
b) actually playing more often than not

The only players whose position in the side is guaranteed if fit at the moment are Paqueta, Fernandes, Magassa, Diouf, Summerville, Bowen and Kilman. You wouldn't make any of those first five captain at this point in time. That only leaves the incumbent and Kilman. If Soucek were good enough to be in the team every game, then it's him for me no question in terms of being captain material. But he's not.

I wouldn't want Kilman seen as a guaranteed starter. I'd rather keep Bowen in that role (who I don't think is captain material) over him.

Me either. And it's all well and good saying that but he's getting on the team sheet before Igor, Mavropanos and Todibo who is seemingly persona non grata under a third consecutive manager- at least until January.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 12:56**

El Scorchio" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 12:10
Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:28
El Scorchio" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:07
It's increasingly either your best player or defacto the most senior/long serving player, OR the one you want to keep sweet, rather than the one best cut out for it.

It's understandable to an extent. Bowen is clearly our captain to encourage him to stay, as was Rice.

Honestly though if you look around our squad, who that is actually going to play regularly is captain material, really? Fabianski probably would have been but goalie as a captain is no good. Kilman is the only other player who gets significant time that you could possibly stick the armband on. Soucek is the obvious captain in the squad but won't play anywhere near enough. Fernandes maybe in a few years if he becomes a general.

Kilman?! Probably the worst choice of the lot.

Oh I agree he's absolutely not a good fit for it but that's the point. We have basically no-one to choose from who meets the criteria of being

a) captain material
b) actually playing more often than not

The only players whose position in the side is guaranteed if fit at the moment are Paqueta, Fernandes, Magassa, Diouf, Summerville, Bowen and Kilman. You wouldn't make any of those first five captain at this point in time. That only leaves the incumbent and Kilman. If Soucek were good enough to be in the team every game, then it's him for me no question in terms of being captain material. But he's not.

I wouldn't want Kilman seen as a guaranteed starter. I'd rather keep Bowen in that role (who I don't think is captain material) over him.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 12:10**

Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:28
El Scorchio" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:07
easthammer wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 10:23
I think you are probably correct. If as others have suggested in today's football the best player is made captain, then, applied retrospectively, Trevor Brooking would have ousted Billy Bonds from the captaincy. Now I loved both players but I know who was the best captain.

I also wonder if in today's football the move towards ensuring that when buying players it is their behaviour characteristics carry, as much, if not more, weight than their skills. This might just explain why we have a squad that is too "nice" and lacking character.

Obviously, the vetting can go wrong if reports around Todibo are to be believed.

It's increasingly either your best player or defacto the most senior/long serving player, OR the one you want to keep sweet, rather than the one best cut out for it.

It's understandable to an extent. Bowen is clearly our captain to encourage him to stay, as was Rice.

Honestly though if you look around our squad, who that is actually going to play regularly is captain material, really? Fabianski probably would have been but goalie as a captain is no good. Kilman is the only other player who gets significant time that you could possibly stick the armband on. Soucek is the obvious captain in the squad but won't play anywhere near enough. Fernandes maybe in a few years if he becomes a general.

Kilman?! Probably the worst choice of the lot.

Oh I agree he's absolutely not a good fit for it but that's the point. We have basically no-one to choose from who meets the criteria of being

a) captain material
b) actually playing more often than not

The only players whose position in the side is guaranteed if fit at the moment are Paqueta, Fernandes, Magassa, Diouf, Summerville, Bowen and Kilman. You wouldn't make any of those first five captain at this point in time. That only leaves the incumbent and Kilman. If Soucek were good enough to be in the team every game, then it's him for me no question in terms of being captain material. But he's not.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 11:59**

Sir Alf" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:53 Would not be a smart move imo to change the captaincy now. Removing it from Bowen / any existing player is likely to demotivate / upset the person. Bowen is our most imprtant player so gets the leadership role by virtue of that even if he perhaps not a natural leader or communicator.

Being an old twat from the olden days of footie, I always found a centre back was the ideal position for the captain and leader. Whole game in front of them, usually a big lump who can bark out orders. That player ideally has football intelligence and a close relationship with the manager to understand tactical side. A centre mid can do it too but in either case they of course need to have the respect of team mates or are initimated by the captain enough to do as they are told. There are a lot of prima donnas in the world of football

shame our CBs are all a bit flakey and quiet. Bowen can be captain but we need a lieutenant at the back. Looks like we will have to buy one

I am with you. I like a CB or CM traditionally. However, football has changed so much and the managers now have coaching teams which means communication can be more nuanced. The game is more complex tactically with different formations when the ball is in / out of possession and / or in different thirds of the pitch. So the squads have shape drilled into them in training so team movement in real time becomes second nature. I just don't think there is any need for a 'barker' on the pitch anymore. So you pick a player that leads by example and by taking responsibility with the ball and doing their job to the maximum.

Just my thoughts.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 11:53**

Would not be a smart move imo to change the captaincy now. Removing it from Bowen / any existing player is likely to demotivate / upset the person. Bowen is our most imprtant player so gets the leadership role by virtue of that even if he perhaps not a natural leader or communicator.

Being an old twat from the olden days of footie, I always found a centre back was the ideal position for the captain and leader. Whole game in front of them, usually a big lump who can bark out orders. That player ideally has football intelligence and a close relationship with the manager to understand tactical side. A centre mid can do it too but in either case they of course need to have the respect of team mates or are initimated by the captain enough to do as they are told. There are a lot of prima donnas in the world of football

shame our CBs are all a bit flakey and quiet. Bowen can be captain but we need a lieutenant at the back. Looks like we will have to buy one

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 11:29**

Should be Flappyhandski.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 11:28**

El Scorchio" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 11:07
easthammer wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 10:23
Nick QQQ2" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 06:12 I think old school captains are a thing of the past. Look at some of them in the prem these days. Odegaard etc.

I think you are probably correct. If as others have suggested in today's football the best player is made captain, then, applied retrospectively, Trevor Brooking would have ousted Billy Bonds from the captaincy. Now I loved both players but I know who was the best captain.

I also wonder if in today's football the move towards ensuring that when buying players it is their behaviour characteristics carry, as much, if not more, weight than their skills. This might just explain why we have a squad that is too "nice" and lacking character.

Obviously, the vetting can go wrong if reports around Todibo are to be believed.

It's increasingly either your best player or defacto the most senior/long serving player, OR the one you want to keep sweet, rather than the one best cut out for it.

It's understandable to an extent. Bowen is clearly our captain to encourage him to stay, as was Rice.

Honestly though if you look around our squad, who that is actually going to play regularly is captain material, really? Fabianski probably would have been but goalie as a captain is no good. Kilman is the only other player who gets significant time that you could possibly stick the armband on. Soucek is the obvious captain in the squad but won't play anywhere near enough. Fernandes maybe in a few years if he becomes a general.

Kilman?! Probably the worst choice of the lot.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 11:07**

easthammer wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 10:23
Nick QQQ2" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 06:12 I think old school captains are a thing of the past. Look at some of them in the prem these days. Odegaard etc.

I think you are probably correct. If as others have suggested in today's football the best player is made captain, then, applied retrospectively, Trevor Brooking would have ousted Billy Bonds from the captaincy. Now I loved both players but I know who was the best captain.

I also wonder if in today's football the move towards ensuring that when buying players it is their behaviour characteristics carry, as much, if not more, weight than their skills. This might just explain why we have a squad that is too "nice" and lacking character.

Obviously, the vetting can go wrong if reports around Todibo are to be believed.

It's increasingly either your best player or defacto the most senior/long serving player, OR the one you want to keep sweet, rather than the one best cut out for it.

It's understandable to an extent. Bowen is clearly our captain to encourage him to stay, as was Rice.

Honestly though if you look around our squad, who that is actually going to play regularly is captain material, really? Fabianski probably would have been but goalie as a captain is no good. Kilman is the only other player who gets significant time that you could possibly stick the armband on. Soucek is the obvious captain in the squad but won't play anywhere near enough. Fernandes maybe in a few years if he becomes a general.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 10:23**

Nick QQQ2" wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025, 06:12 I think old school captains are a thing of the past. Look at some of them in the prem these days. Odegaard etc.

I think you are probably correct. If as others have suggested in today's football the best player is made captain, then, applied retrospectively, Trevor Brooking would have ousted Billy Bonds from the captaincy. Now I loved both players but I know who was the best captain.

I also wonder if in today's football the move towards ensuring that when buying players it is their behaviour characteristics carry, as much, if not more, weight than their skills. This might just explain why we have a squad that is too "nice" and lacking character.

Obviously, the vetting can go wrong if reports around Todibo are to be believed.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 09:26**

Wilson would be our mr nasty, touch of magic, in the ref's face etc
but hes not going to be on the pitch enough.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 07:59**

Yeah. Agree with all that

On that incident, and one for the refs on here, obviously Mykolenko should have gone for violent conduct (because it was) but VAR were seemingly disinterested, although it might have come under a sharper focus if Paqueta had gone down holding his chest - you know, where he was struck - rather than immediately grabbing his face. But withy the ref having given a yellow, why wasn't the free kick reversed?

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 07:43**

We just need more leaders in general, if we had them, it wouldn't matter who had the armband on.

Look at Tarkowski on Monday, he was into the ref non stop, arguably he stopped their left back getting a red for a blatant elbow, he was over there straight in the refs face. Bowen stood behind it all, giggling with Pickford. Gealish was cute, staying on the floor after every foul, making it obvious to the ref. Summerville arguably got rougher treatment, but you wouldn't have known it.

We are not streetwise at all as a team. Don't get me wrong, not my favourite part of the game, but every other club does it, so we need to be more nasty. I can see Nuno proper changing that about us, and not before time.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 07:11**

I think the key is that there isn't anyone else better qualified... which, as much as anything, highlights the dearth of quality. Potter made JWP his vice captain ffs

If (and its a big IF) we had a commanding defender or a combative midfielder, you'd perhaps prefer them... but we don't, which is why we're 19th

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 07:05**

I don't think he's right for captain either. But it would be an insult to remove it now. Seems to me in modern football captaincy goes to the best player and not the best captain anyway. So maybe it's right. By example Bowen is our only player that p!ays well every game.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 06:49**

Taking the Captaincy from Bowen would be both foolish and pointless.

Why would you want to piss off our best player?

As someone mentioned earlier, our best ever player and Captain wasn't a loud shouter, that was Bobby Moore.

Personally I think Kilman will now thrive under Nuno, with JWP looking like he is out of the picture, I would make Kilman the number two Captain to Bowen, JWP's current role, Potts the Captain for the future.

Do not piss Bowen off.

Posted: **01 Oct 2025, 06:12**

I think old school captains are a thing of the past. Look at some of them in the prem these days. Odegaard etc.

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