Down the Baron the other day (what a god awful Wetherspoon it is), I, and some other disgruntled Reading enthusiasts, discussed who would be best to replace Graeme Murty as captain.
It ended up being quite rational as we all came to different conclusions. It was quite astonishing actually.
One argued for James Harper, a brutal runner that quite-frankly does nothing worthwhile on a football pitch, as he’s been at the club for the longest and knows Reading inside and out. Unfortunately, my misguided friend had one too many Carlings’ and it was agreed that Harper would be an awful choice.
The thought of him attending pre and post match interviews fashioning those ridiculous basketball jerseys are cringe worthy and something the club doesn’t really need. Having Andre Bikey in the team alone make Reading a laughing stock.
Supposedly, Harper’s a midfield general but in the ideal Royals team, he would be confined to warming the bench, as he doesn’t make the impact that he once had. He misses Steve Sidwell; he misses him a lot. Fans have not seen the real James Harper, whatever that is, for a long time now and if a club comes in with a modest fee, I can see Rodgers selling him without worry.
One ill-educated Reading fan actually recommended Bikey and resounding laughter subsequently followed. He was dead serious as well.
He claimed that Bikey is a fully-fledged international and has character on the pitch. Well his over exuberant rant after being dismissed at Burnley is not character it was just plain stupidity.
The sensible one offered Gunnarsson and I can see why. The Icelander seems to be the father figure in the team, the go-to guy, the man that often gets the team out of trouble.
If he were five years younger and a constant first team regular, he would be installed as captain as soon as Murty left but that is not the case. If he was appointed skipper it would only be short-term solution and this problem will arose itself again next season.
Another wants Ivar Ingimarsson and to be fair he seems to be the readymade replacement. He was the forgotten man last season; we did miss him considerably, especially in the latter parts of the season.
At 31, he is not too old and he could be the next captain for the four or five years but it’s undecided whether he will be a regular next season as injuries have hampered him for a while now.
I’m a little more left wing than my friends are. I went for Alex Pearce.
Although I would like to hide the fact that he was born in Oxf*rd, his all round ability has been thought a lot of and the way he would have a rant at someone who’s ten years his senior was simply inspiring and a little intimidating in all honesty.
Many may see him as too young, being 20, to lead a team. What is age apart from a nuisance?
The way he conducts himself and the way he leads by example certainly impresses. Whether it’s a headed clearance or creating momentum with a little run out of defence, he gives Reading so much.
Rodgers should see him as pinnacle to his plans and a regular berth at the heart of Reading’s defence is necessary for the club to move on with the next generation.
He’s grown up with the likes of Julian Kelly, Jem Karacan, and James Henry and if he’s installed as captain will give these players the inspiration to be confident to break into the first team if they perform well.
Pearce prides himself on having a strong aerial presence and good awareness. Those assets are clearly visible and his game can only improve.
When sitting close to the pitch at the Graeme Murty testimonial, you could hear Pearce screaming at the whole team and at certain individuals about this, that, and everything. He bellowed at Jay Tabb about positioning and he looked generally upset when the first half penalty was awarded for a nothing challenge.
Although appointing him will probably end up being wide of the mark, a strong character is needed to lead the Royals into the top flight.
And for me, Pearce is the ideal candidate.
Who do you think it should be?
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