CambridgeCanary

We need new blood in the centre of the defence.  Jason Shackell is still learning and doesn''t need the extra worry.  Drury needs to continue to recapture his form and confidence.  Dean Ashton may be our best player but what on earth has he done to suggest he would be a good captain?  Let him get on with scoring goal and winning games. A captain need to lead, organise and set an example.  He also needs to be worth his place in the team but not necessarily the best player. Answer: Thomas Helveg.  He is a quality player in several positions, has respect from his team mates, is not afraid to do what needs to be done, is good with the press and making him take charge may satisfy the dreaded Morton Olsen

I share everyone else''s concerns about the back four.  Of course some poor midfield defending put undue pressure on them but there were days when they too were found wanting. So we have Shackell as a fixture.  Drury has made enough of a comeback to suggest that he will regain his confidence.  He is quality but took the brunt of the early home defeat against Arsenal.  It took its toll and has been a long way back.  Anyway, he has a great relationship with Hucks and now that he is established as a left winger, Drury is coming back up to par. Fleming is now backup only.  He played his heart out but his contribution is declining.  We need a new centre half to bed in with Jason and establish the solidity of two years ago.  Doherty may deserve a chance.  It is hard to see a player with 27 caps in some of his performances but he is young and perhaps worth a run.  I have alot of time for Charlton and would keep him as cover for centre and left back.  Neither he nor Fleming should be first choice because we need an established partnership in the centre that can last for at least a couple of seasons.  Even if Malky had stayed, we would still be in this position now. That leaves the defence short of experience and a mentor.  We have an international captain at right back who knows the tricks and has put in some (I know not all by any means) quality performances.  I think we need him to help the rest to work.  I don''t want a team of kickers but Thomas is hard and will do what is necessary.  Would Joe Cole have scored at Carrow Road if it had been Helveg not Edworthy he had to go through?  We all know the answer to that.  Yes, it might well have been a yellow card but probably not a goal. Personally, I''d make Thomas captain for a season and let him lead the others to the success we all want.