Wellens - New Captain?

[ACF]

Best central midfielder in the league. Good choice.

Scott Parker?

[Guest Col city fan]

Gee, this must be getting under the skin of all those Wellens haters who were stating that Sven had finally woken up to how rubbish he is and got replacements in.

That must really 'sting'.

It's like a public acknowledgement that he is really rated by

the manager and will be a near permanent feature in starting XI.

Real smack in the face that.

I think it's also because Blackpool came in for him and he was told he would be core to Sven's plans and possibly offered the armband at that juncture.

I also still can't help but wonder if there is a King deal been done with a prem club - is there a massive pin up of Kingy on the side of the stadium ?

Your irony knows no bounds nick, gotta give you that...

[Fox92]

Hahaha Wellens in midfield instead of King.

Opinions on Andy King are different, but I personally don't think he is that good. He is inconsistant, he goes missing in games, he rarely tackles, he plays it backwards more, he slows the game down at times and he lacks pace. Ok, he is the best finisher at the club, I'm not against that one bit, but I think we can replace King with a better player who can still score goals if required. I don't think we'll miss him if he doesn't play. This obviously depends on more players scoring goals, but Danns is known to score a few in the past, and even in defence, Mills can easily get more than five.

I do like it when King sits rather that goes forward though, if he were to be in the starting 11. If King didn't score some goals, then nobody would rate him.

These sort of opinions will arise though, with all these midfielders in the squad. Sven's got a big task picking his starting 11, and who ever is in that starting 11, I will support as always.

your missing johnson + fernandes .. does he know get in the 3?? not for me

We haven't seen Fernandes play yet, and we've only seen a bit of Johnson who is unfit at this present time.

[Thracian]

Opinions on Andy King are different, but I personally don't think he is that good. He is inconsistant, he goes missing in games, he rarely tackles, he plays it backwards more, he slows the game down at times and he lacks pace. Ok, he is the best finisher at the club, I'm not against that one bit, but I think we can replace King with a better player who can still score goals if required. I don't think we'll miss him if he doesn't play. This obviously depends on more players scoring goals, but Danns is known to score a few in the past, and even in defence, Mills can easily get more than five.

I do like it when King sits rather that goes forward though, if he were to be in the starting 11. If King didn't score some goals, then nobody would rate him.

These sort of opinions will arise though, with all these midfielders in the squad. Sven's got a big task picking his starting 11, and who ever is in that starting 11, I will support as always.

We haven't seen Fernandes play yet, and we've only seen a bit of Johnson who is unfit at this present time.

King was well enough rated even when he had more of a fulcrum role. He's a much faster and more reliable passer than Wellens. He is also much more useful in the air, both in defensive and attacking situations, although by no means brilliant. His positioning when we are defending is more solid than Wellens and while he tends to shepherd players rather than muscling them off the ball, I don't think he's any less effective for that.

As for his goals they have come consistently over the seasons and earned us many points. They won't be made up by Wellens and I'd doubt they'll be made up by any individual player. To me central midfield has been a major problem. Abe doesn't have enough effect, Wellens is too ponderous and too vulnerable to making important errors and neither of them score enough goals. .

[Dr The Singh]

King was well enough rated even when he had more of a fulcrum role. He's a much faster and more reliable passer than Wellens. He is also much more useful in the air, both in defensive and attacking situations, although by no means brilliant. His positioning when we are defending is more solid than Wellens and while he tends to shepherd players rather than muscling them off the ball, I don't think he's any less effective for that.

As for his goals they have come consistently over the seasons and earned us many points. They won't be made up by Wellens and I'd doubt they'll be made up by any individual player. To me central midfield has been a major problem. Abe doesn't have enough effect, Wellens is too ponderous and too vulnerable to making important errors and neither of them score enough goals. .

That could be the reason why he is being made captain, in an attempt to bring more out of Wellens!! Either way, we have enough midfielders to pick from if Wellens doesn;t meet iour requirements!

[MC Prussian]

A bit of an odd decision, Wellens oftentimes reminded me of a bullterrier in football boots.

He gets stuck in and defends well, but he can be an absolute shock going forward because he sometimes doesn't really know what to do with the ball.

Granted, he's not your typical goalscorer and it must've been ages since he created something useful from a set-piece.

Here's to Richie Wellens and a successful tenure as club captain.

I shall cast my doubts aside and trust in the greatness of Sven.

[MattyR]

I dont want to question your opinion but would I be right in saying it is based off Johnsons performances for Man City in 2008 and Fernandes' performances in the 08/09 season + Switzerland?

Inevitably yes but the potential is certainly there, I know it is a massive if but still only my opinion! I love richie as much as the next fan, I just don't agree with giving him the armband, wont stop me from getting right behind him starting from Cov away!

Up the city!

[Fmfox]

Kasper is loud but his reactions after conceding goals arent exactly constructive I would say Konch could be a good captain, otherwise I think Wellens is a good decision.

[Wymsey]

I would prefer Gallagher, King or Bamba as captain, as I think they're easy to get along with.

[Fox92]

I don't see Gallagher as a first team player, never mind a captain.

King was well enough rated even when he had more of a fulcrum role. He's a much faster and more reliable passer than Wellens. He is also much more useful in the air, both in defensive and attacking situations, although by no means brilliant. His positioning when we are defending is more solid than Wellens and while he tends to shepherd players rather than muscling them off the ball, I don't think he's any less effective for that.

As for his goals they have come consistently over the seasons and earned us many points. They won't be made up by Wellens and I'd doubt they'll be made up by any individual player. To me central midfield has been a major problem. Abe doesn't have enough effect, Wellens is too ponderous and too vulnerable to making important errors and neither of them score enough goals. .

I wouldn't say King is faster than Wellens, they both do lack pace, however Wellens will drive with the ball more than King which suggests to me King isn't the sort of player to play attacking midfield, although his finishing is the best at the club.

I agree King is good in the air (more attacking than defending though) and his preference to pass short indicate to me King would make a better defensive midfielder than anything else. I have said before that I'd prefer to see King as a holding midfielder if he were to play.

[Bugg]

Wellens is too scared to shoot.

[marbelladave]

I don't see Gallagher as a first team player, never mind a captain.

I wouldn't say King is faster than Wellens, they both do lack pace, however Wellens will drive with the ball more than King which suggests to me King isn't the sort of player to play attacking midfield, although his finishing is the best at the club.

I agree King is good in the air (more attacking than defending though) and his preference to pass short indicate to me King would make a better defensive midfielder than anything else. I have said before that I'd prefer to see King as a holding midfielder if he were to play.

As Thracian says, central midfield remains a huge problem, in my view we lack a truly dominant player either going forward or in defence. whether any of the new signings can fill those roles remains to be seen

Playing King as the attacking midfielder is to me a big mistake, his simple 'pass and go' style is totally unsuited to the role and leaves us devoid of any creativity. As you say he would be best as part or a midfield pairing sitting in front of our back 4, ideally with Fernandez alongside.

[fox_favourite]

Hello - Second post from me. Getting used to this now!.... anyway

I'm pleased with the appointment. I'm a big fan of Wellens.

Last season I went to the 'Meet Sven Evening' and one of the questions that was asked was "who do you think is the most talented player in the squad?" Well I was expecting Sven to say the Yak or Naughton, but without hesitation he said "Richie Wellens" he went on to say that he had everything that you will look for in a midfielder.

I think he will be a good captain. I'm not sure where these haters of him have come from but I guess people are entitled to their opinions. But he has been one of our most consistent players over the last few seasons.

[psychonaut]

Giving Wellens the armband has only increased the pressure to perform week in week out! So get ready for the backlash. It would be foolish surely to assume even if a captain is not performing a place in the team would be guaranteed?

I dont agree with the captaincy going to RW as I dont rate and never have. But of course I will be 100% behind whoever is captain at city.

[davieG]

I don't see Gallagher as a first team player, never mind a captain.

I wouldn't say King is faster than Wellens, they both do lack pace, however Wellens will drive with the ball more than King which suggests to me King isn't the sort of player to play attacking midfield, although his finishing is the best at the club.

I agree King is good in the air (more attacking than defending though) and his preference to pass short indicate to me King would make a better defensive midfielder than anything else. I have said before that I'd prefer to see King as a holding midfielder if he were to play.

I believe Thracian was saying that King was a 'faster passer' than Wellens who dwells on the ball far to much thus slowing up any counter attack.

[psychonaut]

I believe Thracian was saying that King was a 'faster passer' than Wellens who dwells on the ball far to much thus slowing up any counter attack.

I've lost count at how many times i've seen the oppisition flood past wellens as he thinks what to do next.

[RumbleFox]

Not really sure where the hate for Wellens comes from? Fot me he is, when he plays well, our best player. When on form he is unstoppable and has carried us a few times in recent seasons. I agree that he is not on top of his game often enough but still think he's been one of our top players in the last few seasons. Well done Wellens, you have my vote! X

[davieG]

Not really sure where the hate for Wellens comes from? Fot me he is, when he plays well, our best player. When on form he is unstoppable and has carried us a few times in recent seasons. I agree that he is not on top of his game often enough but still think he's been one of our top players in the last few seasons. Well done Wellens, you have my vote! X

Has anyone said they hate him?

[Bryn]

Seems a decent choice if he's going to start games, which I think he probably will. He's our most constructive midfielder. It does seem odd though, as I would expect him to be rotated out as much as anyone. Someone like Schmeichel or Mills might have been a better choice, given they're likely to get more minutes. But as Capello said, captaincy is overrated, there are some strong characters in the squad now and you would expect all of them to lead. Mills will probably take the vice-captaincy and be just as comfortable telling people what to do when Wellens is on the bench.

As for King... he's a good player, but I've expressed an opinion that he's potentially the weak link in the team in the past and I stand by it. I hate using the word "overrated" because it invariably draws a backlash, but I've never seen him run the show. He's a cool finisher but his all round game needs work and having to fight for his place can only benefit him. I had a feeling he would be the man to lose his guaranteed spot in midfield and it looks to be the case. It wouldn't do us good to rely too much on his goals, we need to be scoring from all over the pitch.

[ScouseFox]

Fox92, if you're not playing King and you're not playing Gallagher, bear in mind we can't play 6 Richie Wellens', who are you wanting to play in midfield and attack?

Not a dig, just generally wondering, as in my opinion they were probably two of our best players last season, and we have nobody to replace their roles in the team.

[Corky]

Not really sure where the hate for Wellens comes from? Fot me he is, when he plays well, our best player. When on form he is unstoppable and has carried us a few times in recent seasons. I agree that he is not on top of his game often enough but still think he's been one of our top players in the last few seasons. Well done Wellens, you have my vote! X

There is no "hate", I've said that Wellens, on his day, can be so influential in determining how we play. However, he is also guilty of overplaying and being too ponderous at crucial stages in games.

King goes missing in games, no doubt about it, and doesn't have the vision that Wellens has. Yet he offers more defensively and certainly in scoring goals.

If I had to choose between the two then King would be my choice purely because I think he offers more overall than Wellens.

[I am Rod Hull]

Meh. Not convinced really. As long as he's rotated just like the others then fine, but would have preferred someone like Mills who will probably play every game.

Same here.. I just cant see Wellens playing every game.. Mills will, and he looks like a leader..

[marbelladave]

Some perspective please......

I would have given my left arm to be as good a footballer as Richie Wellens, not quite premier league material but pretty good nevertheless. That is the reality, no question.

However it is my view that, like dilbert, he has been 'promoted' one (or two) steps too far. For a League 1 side with real ambition he would boss the midfield, for a mid table Championship side he would probably be fine but for the standard we are aiming at this season? Just not good enough.

His failings have been aired many times and I am not going to repeat them, but for me he would not be in my prefered starting XI......

[Ric Flair]

Seems a decent choice if he's going to start games, which I think he probably will. He's our most constructive midfielder. It does seem odd though, as I would expect him to be rotated out as much as anyone. Someone like Schmeichel or Mills might have been a better choice, given they're likely to get more minutes. But as Capello said, captaincy is overrated, there are some strong characters in the squad now and you would expect all of them to lead. Mills will probably take the vice-captaincy and be just as comfortable telling people what to do when Wellens is on the bench.

As for King... he's a good player, but I've expressed an opinion that he's potentially the weak link in the team in the past and I stand by it. I hate using the word "overrated" because it invariably draws a backlash, but I've never seen him run the show. He's a cool finisher but his all round game needs work and having to fight for his place can only benefit him. I had a feeling he would be the man to lose his guaranteed spot in midfield and it looks to be the case. It wouldn't do us good to rely too much on his goals, we need to be scoring from all over the pitch.

Absolutely beggers belief how people will slate King about going missing and only scoring goals and then defending Wellens. The fact is without King's goals we are going to struggle yet again! No natural goal scorer bought in yet and no wide players. Wellens goes missing in games and rarely scores, he is the weak link. King needs to step up his game this season to improve but if you cannot bring in a player to match his goals and then some, then you simply cannot go without him if you want to challenge for promotion. Sousa tried this and failed, luckily King kept coming off the bench to prove him wrong.

[Fox92]

I believe Thracian was saying that King was a 'faster passer' than Wellens who dwells on the ball far to much thus slowing up any counter attack.

Ok. I wasn't though.

I've lost count at how many times i've seen the oppisition flood past wellens as he thinks what to do next.

Exactly. All good players are looking or thinking what to do next. When we played Real Madrid for example, I saw with my own eyes Ozil look up before he crossed the ball. You don't get that from players like Gallagher though, for example, he crosses with his head down.

Fox92, if you're not playing King and you're not playing Gallagher, bear in mind we can't play 6 Richie Wellens', who are you wanting to play in midfield and attack?

Not a dig, just generally wondering, as in my opinion they were probably two of our best players last season, and we have nobody to replace their roles in the team.

I would play King if the right players were around him, know what I mean. I'm not doubting his ability, but he hasn't got the creativity or drive to be an attacking midfielder, for example. I'd like to see him in the holding role if possible.

As for Gallagher, If we were to sign another striker, I'd like to see Nugent wide right and new striker up front with Vassell wide left.