Town manager Paul Jewell says he’s not made a decision on who will replace Grant Leadbitter as captain at Burnley tonight with the midfielder set to miss out with a groin injury. The Blues boss believes the captaincy is overstated, having less significance than in other sports such as cricket and rugby.

Jewell said: “It’ll be an honour whoever gets it but football captaincy is less important. When you see Liverpool’s goalkeeper as captain, I think sometimes it’s just a case of giving someone an armband.

“I don’t put too much emphasis on being a captain, you can be a captain without wearing an armband.”

In pre-season, Lee Bowyer skippered the side when Leadbitter wasn’t in the team, while Ívar Ingimarsson was captain at Reading before joining the Blues in the summer.

Photo: Action Images

Bergholtblue added 08:27 - Nov 29 Give it to Andrews
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MaySixth added 08:33 - Nov 29 Has to go to a non-loanee.
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Wacko added 08:38 - Nov 29 Chops for the hell of it
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osborne1nil added 08:55 - Nov 29 Disagree, a Captain should lead by example in showing that extra bit of effort and lift others in the team (especially in the last 5 minutes when we are leading!), something Leadbitter fails to do. If he is fit, would give to Andrews, Ingi or even Bowyer.
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hampstead_blue added 09:07 - Nov 29 If PJ is un-decided let me help him. Get rid of GL and give it to JB. Job done.
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cornishblu added 09:07 - Nov 29 Spot on Osborne1nil.....captains are leaders and regardless of how strong a group you have when the chips are down you look to your leader for encouragement......perhaps this comment lets us into pj's world too much and tells us why no one is stepping up to the plate and why heads drop so easily.... but then what am I saying Man U didnt win anything with keane, Arsenal nothing with Adams, Liverpool nothing with Souness, and Ipswich nothing with Mills......so back in my hole!!!

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oldelsworthyfan added 09:24 - Nov 29 Goodness, doesn't PJ even know!!!! Great sides are built round key players who can motivate the whole team by their example and encouragement ON THE PITCH1
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bluelady added 09:24 - Nov 29 i guess maybe in his defence he is trying to say that each player needs to step up to the plate, that if you are not chosen as captain it doesnt mean you shouldnt lead by example.... that said i do think a captains role is pivitol and we have had some excellent role models in years past and present....... Norris albeit left as quickly as a rat up a drain pipe, but on the pitch he lead like a true leader and wore his heart on his sleeve. Personally i think Bowyer, he has been one of our better players at times and is definately someone with fire in his belly. (i know many will think not a good example but i like to look at today not the past!)

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brogansnose added 09:45 - Nov 29 Agree that the captaincy should not go to a loanee and ideally it should go to someone who can inspire and lead by example.................actually I can see Jewells dilema! Pick of a bad bunch really.
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Reuser31 added 09:55 - Nov 29 Sign up Andrews in january and make him captain, at least he plays like he gives a toss.
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yorksblue added 10:01 - Nov 29 Jewell's statement says it all. He's ****ing clueless.
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nitroblue1970 added 10:11 - Nov 29 This could be a get out clause for PJ, his selection of Leadbitter as captain has been slated by just about everyone and hes not exactly what the team needs right now as a captain. I would give it to Sonko if fit....a colossuss of a defender, takes no sh*t from anyone and can motivate his team mates by his own wholehearted performances.....however he will give it to Bullard!!!!

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dad96 added 10:15 - Nov 29 you should sign andrews in jan and give it to him permanently, he's got the potential to be the best captain we've had since matty - grit, determination and a true desire to win. He's the natural leader in our team and I believe he'll get the players to rally around after christmas and turn this awful run around and get us up the right end of the table! Despite leadbitters slight upturn in form recently, he has never been and never will be a captain, he should have never been given the armband in the first place in my opinion!

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textbackup added 10:17 - Nov 29 Cresswell, no ifs or buts, give it to the most passionate itfc player
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JayITFC added 10:25 - Nov 29 Deffo right that it's nowhere near as important in football as it is in a game like cricket. The media are ridiculous regards the England captaincy.
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buryblue77 added 10:45 - Nov 29 Any other team would have a vice captain, but it says it all about the captaincy as Jewell says he doesn't regard it as being an important role, which is why he doesn't have a number two lined up and probably explains why he's picked Leadbitter as captain, the most unlikely person and probably wont get too carried away giving instructions other than issued by the manager. Cynical thinking maybe, but that's what I've read (between the lines) from the above article.

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AlanMahon2011 added 11:03 - Nov 29 you know this clubs in turmoil when PJ doesn't even know who to pick as a captain lol
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Tractamatt added 12:34 - Nov 29 Is it f.a rules that it can't be a loanee,if so sonko for captain (if fit)
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MathieandMarshall added 12:37 - Nov 29 Cant disagree more with PJ on this. How can you say that a captain is not important?! While i agree at this level every player should be a talker. The Captain should offer more than just a voice. How many times has Steven Gerrard dragged Liverpool accross the finish line? As someone else said, Adams at Arsenal, Keane at Man U, Terry at Chelsea. Think back to Matt Holland at Town, never missed a game, gave 100% everytime he pulled on the shirt and always came over to the fans on all 4 sides of the ground win, lose or draw! Thats what we are missing. A leader!

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PJ_Needs_Duncan added 12:38 - Nov 29 Jewell out
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big_gaz67 added 13:07 - Nov 29 "Is it f.a rules that it can't be a loanee,if so sonko for captain (if fit)"!!! lol Read the rules of the game of Soccer and tell me where it mentions the word captain?
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yorksblue added 13:22 - Nov 29 If we lose tonight, rather than fly home from Manchester, come back via Leeds/Bradford Airport. That way we can drop the clown off at his home, where hopefully, he'll stay.
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Blue041273 added 13:28 - Nov 29 PJ has got the wrong end of the stick here. He may well be right in suggesting that the role of captain is essentially nominal compared with cricket and rugby but it is still a role that demands passion, commitment and drive. All good leaders have these qualities. I think PJ is saying that all the team should have these qualities, not just the captain. The fact that a replacement doesn't easily come to mind says it all about our recent performances and the players selected to represent us.

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oldelsworthyfan added 14:25 - Nov 29 This discussion underlines a key area where I think PJ has got it wrong. We've had some great captains in the past. They've led by example and motivated the rest of the team and, what's more, they've motivated the crowd - in giving us a reason to shout our support - even when things are not going well.
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TractorBeezer added 14:33 - Nov 29 I disagree with Paul on this one...we can use some real leadership and motivation out there as well as each player talking and encouraging etc.
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