Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson's captaincy confusion is baffling
TEAMtalk's Simon Wilkes is baffled by Roy Hodgson's claim that Steven Gerrard should have kept the captain's armband at Wembley on Tuesday.[LNB] I've previously stated how I had a sneaky feeling Hodgson was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by the all-encompassing nature of the Liverpool manager's job - but now it appears he's losing his marbles too![LNB]This morning he has expressed his "disappointment" at Rio Ferdinand retaining the England captain's armband from Reds skipper Gerrard for Tuesday night's clash with Montenegro at Wembley.[LNB]Admittedly, in Ferdinand's absence through injury, Gerrard played a starring role in the two opening Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland - but that was more down to finally being played in his favoured central midfield role than wearing the armband.[LNB]When John Terry was stripped of the national team captaincy, Fabio Capello handed the position to Ferdinand, promoting Gerrard to vice-captain.[LNB]As far as I know, that hasn't changed, so for Capello to keep Gerrard as skipper on Ferdinand's return to the team would need a major announcement on the permanent change of captaincy.[LNB]According to Hodgson, he didn't "really understand that decision", adding: "As much as Rio (Ferdinand) is a great player as well, I think if you have been out for a long time through injury and you're making your first England appearance for a long, long time, someone who actually had the captaincy for three games and had done brilliantly deserves to keep it."[LNB]I'm just baffled by this argument.[LNB]So on this basis, if Gerrard missed a chunk of Liverpool games due to injury and Reds vice-captain Jamie Carragher took the armband and performed heroically in that role, he'd keep it when Gerrard was fit to return would he? Of course not - and how a seasoned manager can't see this is crazy.[LNB]Hodgson "hasn't spoken to Steven about the subject but I just hope he is not too disappointed about it".[LNB]Well I'm pretty sure he's fine, Roy, in fact he had a blinder at Wembley on Tuesday night, so I'd focus all your energy on trying to win this weekend's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, as defeat to the Toffees really could lead to sleepless nights and "disappointment" for you.
