The Need of Murts

Someone has gladly pinpointed me in the direction where Reading has been going wrong all season - the lack of a natural Captain.

Graeme Murty has been injured for much of the year and when he was fit, he was sent out on loan to Charlton for a couple of months.

Not having your captain in the dressing room is degrading and the team will suffer.

Think Liverpool without Steven Gerrard or Chelsea without John Terry, they don’t function the same let alone sending them on loan to Newcastle.

Liam Rosenior is possibly a better, more naturally gifted right back but he doesn’t contribute half what Murty does. Murty gives Reading so much with little return.

Steve Coppell take note.

Firstly, it’s disrespectful to the captain, who’s name will be remembered for many years to come as your most successful, to send him out on loan where his presence is needed at your own club.

Secondly, depriving the team of someone they fear. Players are hardly going to be left in a quivering wreck after Kevin Doyle or James Harper gives you a dressing down.

Thirdly, Murty possesses enough passion that could carry the whole team; he would fight tooth and nail just to prevent a corner kick.

Fourthly, he has so much respect with fans that his exclusion is baffling. Murty and the fans have a special repute, that is clearly missing from the side this year. You need the fans on side.

Before, when other Reading captains left, they left knowing there is a good understudy to take over.

When Phil Parkinson left in 2001, he had Adie Williams who instantly took up the role. Same with Murty, when Williams was ending his last of three spells with the club, Murty stood in as he was already pursuing the role of vice captain to effective effect.

The season Parkinson left to join Colchester United as manager, he was used on the sidelines so his leadership qualities shone though. His advice and guidance was there on match days and not loaned out to Charlton.

So, it is similar to a hand over, so who would be next captain?

Ivar Ingimarsson is a similar age and he is only a short-term fix. There is no one else that really stands out.

At present, the armband is tossed around like a game of pass the parcels. No one’s given that armband for being the best in the role but for being supposedly the best player.

Murty would have never let Reading slip in the slump they find themselves in.

Urzzzzz