Bassong the 'team captain'

[killercanary29 0]

As a Team captain, i thought that means he is responsible for what happens on the pitch. And Martin as Club captain responsible for what happens around the club. Surely it should have been Bassong do that post match interview after Man city as he is the person who is in charge of what happens on the pitch? it seems like Martin is doing all the work, having to face the media and taking all the criticism.

[killercanary29 0]

Also do you think having this responsibility is having a negative impact on Bassong?

[Binky 0]

"Also do you think having this responsibility is having a negative impact on Bassong?"

Well something is - unless he''s still lacking full fitness. Forays forward but seems slow to get back. Does he actually lead and inspire? Been immense for us but not sure he''s the fighter we need right now.

[Syteanric 1]

something is certainly not right with Bassong this year

whether it be the pressure of captaincy, playing with injury/illness, or just so badly off form he isn''t currently up to it...

he needs dropping.. if that co incides with a turn in form and he has to sit on the bench until suspension/injury to Turner and Bennett then so be it.

[Aggy 752]

Interview point is a moot point really. We have essentially got 2 captains - Martin, as club captain, should still be leading on the pitch as well. Not only that, but "club captain" is a sort of ''face of the club'' position, which probably has media duties attached to it. Otherwise, what''s the point in having a club captain at all?

As for Bassong, I think it could well be the captaincy affecting him. It may be fitness, but a lot of the time he just seems to lapse in concentration. This could well be because he''s more worried about captaincy duties than his own. The captaincy always affects players differently - some stand up a couple of inches taller and improve their game massively, as well as leading the players. Others just get distracted.

[GJP 79]

My guess would be that the captaincy has made him complacent, or made him more complacent than he already was.

 

Apart from a lack of fitness (clearly rushed back after little in the way of a pre season) there is a casualness that has crept into the way he defends. He isn''t really playing with the care that he needs to.

 

 

[vos 155]

The appointment of "two captains" was another Hughton mistake. Martin was clearly the number one candidate but Hughton did not see him as a regular so to get round the problem he was made club captain. This was not a good idea because it clearly indicated to Martin that Hughton did not have complete confidence in him. There was little between other possibilities so Bassong as the number one regular centreback got the job. He has really never shown any evidence of being a leader but just goes about his job in a quiet efficient manner. If you look closely Martin is the defensive organiser when it comes to freekicks etc.

Possibly because of injury problems Bassong''s form started to slip towards the end of last season. He has become increasingly hesitant and has always been a bit casual. Without playing Johnson to protect the centre backs we have looked much more vulnerable in that area. Bassong has never been that great in the air. On Saturday I would play Martin and Bennett in the centre with Whittaker and Olsson on the flanks.

 

[PortlandCanary 0]

I brought this point up after Bassongs first time out as captain. I love the guy, but he''s no leader. Martin is the natural choice.