Boss Paul Jewell says he feels his squad is still too quiet, despite the addition of feisty campaigners such as midfielder Lee Bowyer this summer. But the Blues manager believes that this is not unusual with players generally quieter these days.

Jewell says Bowyer isn’t particularly loud off the field: “You’ll be surprised how quiet he is. Not on the pitch, but off the pitch. I think it’s a growing trait in football.

“I think going back a few years ago everyone was loud and gregarious, but I think with the introduction of foreign players they’re less loud and less vociferous than British players.

“But it’s something I want us to get better at. I want us to be nice guys but when the game starts, we’ve got to be ruthless with each other and with the opposition, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a horrible person.

“When we’re working, we’ve got to have that aggression, not just that physicality but think aggressively as well.”

The Town boss is yet to name his new captain, former skipper David Norris having left for Portsmouth, but Grant Leadbitter appears to be a shoo-in having skippered throughout most of pre-season.

Jewell believes the armband is something which is sometimes given too much importance: “It’s something that I haven’t thought about.

“It’s something I think other people give greater credence to than I do, although I know it’s a great honour to captain any football club.

“I know who the captain is but it’s not as important to me as some people might think. I’ve heard people say they want 11 captains on the pitch, and we want 11 leaders. That’s something that we’re working on because, as I say, we are quite a quiet bunch of players.

“We’d like more leaders on the pitch but the captain isn’t something that means a great deal and isn’t as important to me as it is for some people.”

Photo: Action Images

ian_marshall added 10:05 - Aug 6 Us town fans have been too quiet too!
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das_bones added 10:18 - Aug 6 Shhhh!!!
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pazelle added 10:31 - Aug 6 You're the leader Paul don't pass the buck! Get captain Bullard!
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footyblue added 10:44 - Aug 6 we defo need a bit of Bully.............................
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robdaful added 11:01 - Aug 6 Start doing jokes then Jewell.
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Eireannach_gorm added 12:11 - Aug 6 See how quite it gets when Bowyer starts knocking his team mates around! Bring in Jimmy for his dressing room repartee.
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Blue041273 added 13:12 - Aug 6 It's an interesting point. But in any walk of life 11 leaders in a team of 11 won't work. By definition a leader has to be someone who inspires and drives the people he works with to a higher level of performance. In football that person does not have to be the 'star' but he does have to command respect. David Norris led from the front trying to generate a commitment and work ethic to match his own. That on it's own didn't make him a good captain. I sense that Grant Leadbitter is in the same mould and if anything that should raise his game. But we're a long way from identifying someone in the Mick Mills mould who is a natural leader in the truest sense. In the meantime it looks like we will have to make do with someone who will enjoy the 'honour' status but will have to realise that he is just one of a bunch of peope who are expected to do the job anyway.

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olimar added 13:14 - Aug 6 "but I think with the introduction of foreign players they're less loud and less vociferous than British players." Our starting line-up is hardly going to overloaded with foreign players. I reckon its likely to be 2 out of 11- Edwards and Ingimarsson.
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Wickets added 13:47 - Aug 6 nowt wrong with a bit of peace and quiet
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Mark added 14:10 - Aug 6 Leadbitter as captain is hardly inspiring, as he doesn't seem to lead vocally or by example through his performances. Hopefully he can step it up this season! (let's not forget his contract is up next summer though, so surely we need to sign or sell him?!)
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