Sorry Bobby But Steven Is Not Taylor-made For Job

Last updated : 16 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Bob Moncur believes there is only one man to captain United and that is Steven Taylor.


Bob Moncur: "I see a lot of myself in Steven Taylor and I mustn't have been that bad because I hung in there as captain of United for around 10 years.
"Some supporters might say that at 21 years of age Taylor is too young and inexperienced to be captain of a side in the Premiership.

"But I was only 22 or 23 when I was made captain and really it's not about age. Steven Taylor has always struck me as a player who has loads of confidence and he is not a bad organiser of things at the back.

"Not only that but he is a Geordie and he obviously relishes putting on the black-and-white short of his hometown team.

"Yes he can be a bit rash at times but I know he will soon grow out of all that. What I don't know is whether he has the respect of the other players or not.

"So for me you cannot go past Steven Taylor as captain because he is the future of the club.

"Nobby Solano has been around for so long and he is loved by the supporters. I know he has captained his country, but I keep going back to this thing I have about looking to the future and this would rule Nobby out.

"I think Shay Given is a great goalkeeper and a good pro. But I never think it is ideal for a goalkeeper to be captain. Yes, they are in a good position to see what is happening in front of them, but I always prefer a central defender to be skipper.

"I am sure Nicky Butt would do a good job if Sam goes for him and he would lead by example rather then being an organiser. But would it be a good move for the future appointing Nicky? I don't think so.

"Mark Viduka has bags of experience as he has been around the block a few times. He is a front man like Alan Shearer and he could be a possibility."

First and foremost a captain must have the respect of the team, which Moncur and Shearer always had during their days at the club. And no disrespect to Taylor, but the kid is not a cast-iron certainty to be a regular.

Allardyce has made it known he is looking for two experienced central defenders, and who's to say Taylor is the player the new manager will build his defence around?

This "Geordie" mentality is what has been the noose around this club for decades. Sir John Hall saying "I want to see 11 Geordies playing for Newcastle" ... Freddy Shepherd "the next manager must be a Geordie". What the HELL has that got to do with success?

No Geordie manager has ever won the top flight title (Bob Paisley was born in Mackemland); and only one true Geordie has ever lifted the FA Cup as a manager, Stan Seymour. So let's get that idea out of our system.

The next skipper of Newcastle United will be Joey Barton ... unless some other high quality player moves here before the start of the season.

Sam Allardyce: "I believe good captains are becoming a rare breed now. Natural leaders both on and off the field are not easy to find. That's why finding someone to be our next captain over the next few weeks we will spend together will be a priority in my mind.

"And whether that will be someone who is already here or somebody I actually bring in to the club remains to be seen.

"It is probably not an issue, but I remember when I signed Jay-Jay Okocha the last thing on my mind was that this type of player would be my captain. But I have to say that in all my time as manager, Jay-Jay is the best captain I've ever had.

"Not only did he lead on the field but also off it. Mind you, the fact that he could actually speak four languages helped the squad we had at the time because he could communicate with players from Italy, France and Spain.

"As a result, the players used to listen and look up to him, and trying to find that sort of captain for Newcastle United will be very important in the next couple of weeks."