West Ham Till I Die
Comments
Talking Point

Who's the Skipper?

With all the talk at the moment concentrated on possible new signings and the Europa League, one thing that has not had much air time is who is going to be the club captain for this coming season? Since the arrival of new boss Slaven Bilic and his back room staff there has been an air of the new broom sweeping clean. The appointment of a new captain is one that Slaven I am sure will be deliberating over and there are a few possibilities.

Captain for the past four seasons has of course been Kevin Nolan. Whilst he is still with the club at present the signs are that he probably won’t be come the start of the season. When the club unveiled its new 2015/16 kit on the official website recently, they paraded five players wearing the new design and no, Kevin was not one of them. Quite a telling statement and a lot heavier than a subliminal message! This past week he has been linked with a move back to Bolton but it would seem that our Kev will have to take quite a drop in wages to leave the Boleyn. If he does decide to stay and “take the money” I am sure it will only be in a bench warming position. It would appear either way that Kevin will not be our captain any longer.

Up to now the most obvious choice to take over from Nolan has been Mark Noble. Approaching ten years at the club he is our current Mr West Ham, coming through the youth system along with James Tomkins. In the matches where Nolan was out of the side last season it was Noble who took the armband if he was available. But, one has to ask, will Noble even be a regular in the side next season? The arrival of Dimitri Payat and Pedro Obiang, and the probability of Alex Song signing on a permanent deal further begs the question whether Noble will get enough game time to command the position? After an impressive first season it would be doubtful that Kouyate would not be one of the first names on the team sheet. Could he be a candidate?

Now if Song does sign a deal to permanently join West Ham he could also come into calculations. He skippered the side on several occasions last season in the absence of both Nolan and Noble. Given that he was only on loan at the club last season and he still got a gig in the role, you would have to imagine he has a good case. Another possibility could be Winston Reid. He has shown his commitment to the club by signing a long term deal recently and perhaps Bilic would favour a defender as skipper?

If passion is what you want from a captain then many would not look further than Adrian? It has never been my cup of tea having a goalkeeper as captain but it would not be a total surprise if he became the choice. However, it may even be possible our new captain is someone who has not even signed yet? With the promise from the club of one more major signing this transfer window who is to say our new captain is yet to join the club? It will be a decision that Slaven Bilic will be giving a lot of serious consideration to over the next few weeks. Mark Noble is an obvious favourite at the moment but who would be your choice?

About us

West Ham Till I Die is a website and blog designed for supporters of West Ham United to discuss the club, its fortunes and prospects. It is operated and hosted by West Ham season ticket holder, LBC radio presenter and political commentator Iain Dale.

More info

Follow us

Contact us

Iain Dale, WHTID, PO Box 663, Tunbridge Wells, TN9 9RZ

Visit iaindale.com, Iain Dale’s personal website & blog.

Get in touch

Copyright © 2024 Iain Dale Limited.