New Captain

**Shelsman** · 13/10/2005, 12:39 PM

Shay Given for me. No other player is a cert to start the game. Robbie Keane is a whinger. Even if Roy Keane did play on he wouldn't play every game but might consider him for the games he does play -will he be any good as a player though, it's very near the end of his playing days now.

**tetsujin1979** · 13/10/2005, 12:40 PM

Dunne has captained Man City this season while Distin was still recovering from injury

**Armando** · 13/10/2005, 12:43 PM

Zinedine Zidane is Frances captain and the guy is virtually a mute on the pitch. He is their best player and that's why he gets it no questions asked - it was handed straight back to him when he came back into the fold and no one batted an eyelid. The logical thing would have been Roy Keane to take it back but either he refused it or wasn't offered it, I'm not sure. Either way it was stupid for him not to be captain for this campaign but we Irish do have some very strange logic on matters like these

If Roys not around It's Shays 100%. He is the best goalkeeper we've ever had and it is a travesty that he will not be at the World Cup. He will be hurting most this afternoon because there is nothing more he could have done, and that is the worst feeling of all - failure despite complete effort. He has been let down. I was right behind Givens goal at the final whistle and not one player or member of Staff came to console him at the end after all he'd done(maybe a wise decision because he looked really ****ed - like a man betrayed). He was left stewing for a couple of minutes before he headed down the tunnel after the rest of them, where hopefully he put a few of them in their place.

**onenilgameover** · 13/10/2005, 1:00 PM

Shay without a doubt....

**raytown red** · 13/10/2005, 1:06 PM

damain duff would be a rubbish captain almost as bad as how he played against france my shout would be for gammy kavanagh if he gets a proper chance in the starting line up he might do seen as kerr could be gone

**thejollyrodger** · 13/10/2005, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by Rover 2 U

Now that Kenny has retired, who do you think should be made the new captain?

Duff?
Keane?
Given?
Kilbane?

I can't see a natural choice, so although I hate to see keepers as captains, my vote goes to Shay!

None of those fellas could lead in the scouts

**elroy** · 13/10/2005, 2:43 PM

Has to be shay,
it was bad enough last night that they played so bad. But after the support we gave them the only player to stay out and applaud us was him.
I suppose in truth he was the only player who can hold his head high after the last two performances.

**Saint Tom** · 13/10/2005, 2:48 PM

Shay with Dunne as a possible successor would be my choice.

any talk of roy keane is pie in the sky

**Adrianovic** · 13/10/2005, 2:57 PM

All the candidates have flaws, but Shay's only flaw is that he plays in goal and therefore I'd give it to him ahead of the others.

I don't think I can remember a time where I've though Shay Given could have done better for Ireland. He must be worth 2 or 3 goals per qualifying campaign compared to another keeper.

Ade

**Countyman** · 13/10/2005, 3:03 PM

Shay would be a great captain but if it has to be an outfield player I'd go with Richard Dunne.
I think he is going to be immense for us for us in the next 6 years.

Go Honey Monster!!!!

**Metrostars** · 13/10/2005, 4:08 PM

All this stuff about it been a negative having a goalkeeper as a captain, it didnt stop Dino zoff lifting the World Cup or Peter Schmichel winning the Champions League.

**brine3** · 15/10/2005, 9:33 AM

Just thought I'd mention that last time Italy won the World Cup they were captained by a goalkeepr.

**Pauro 76** · 15/10/2005, 9:53 AM

Given for the job no question, with Richie Dunne as vice-captain.

**thejollyrodger** · 15/10/2005, 10:16 AM

it just highlights the fact that we have no proper leaders anymore.

Given since he is the only 1/2 competent player on the pitch (and worryinlgy our best players is the keeper

)

**Clifford** · 15/10/2005, 10:21 AM

Big Richard for me, his form for the last 18 months at City has been outstanding. Leads by example and without being a shouter will gain the respect of every player with his displays like last Weds. I subscribe to the theory that keepers have enough on their plate keeping the back 4 in order and most of them are a bit mad. For every Zoff/Red nose there are 500 who can't do it.

**Closed Account 2** · 15/10/2005, 10:30 AM

I think the captain has to be an outfield player, and ideally a midfielder. Shay is a great player, but if the match is going against us could he, as a keeper, gee up our strikers ?

My vote would go to Roy Keane or Kav, we need a player in the center of the park who'll give the lads a verbal lashing if theyre not up for the game.

**eirebhoy** · 15/10/2005, 10:54 AM

tbh you don't have to be wearing an armband to build up your teammates.

**Superhoops** · 15/10/2005, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

My vote would go to Roy Keane or Kav, we need a player in the center of the park who'll give the lads a verbal lashing if theyre not up for the game.

Didnt know there was such a thing as a non-playing captain!

As many have mentioned there are really only two candidates, Given and Dunne. My choice would be Richard Dunne, the most improved Irish player over the last 18 months and likely to be a permanent fixture in the Ireland team for the next few years (injuries apart).

A dark horse could be Alan Quinn, who now must have an opportunity to get a run into the team. He is playing well with Sheffield United, RMK is gone, Kav is not good enough and as for JOS in central midfield!!!!

.

Time to look to the future.

**EireBadBoy** · 15/10/2005, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

yknow gary breen is still around...i think with cunningham gone now, breen will have to be considered again. week in week out premiership player. never lets ireland down