Dawson – A captain`s example?

In a word – no.

Andy Dawson is not a captain. Following an injury to Damien Delaney which saw the player sidelined for three months with a severe ankle injury, Parkinson had to decide who the new club captain would be. With Ian Ashbee also sidelined, Parkinson turned to Andy Dawson to lead the team in their Championship campaign.

This overlooked previous players whom had captained the team under Peter Taylor`s reign – players such as Keith Andrews and Sam Collins. Despite their previous experience at captaincy of a team, Dawson was seen by Parkinson as his leader on the pitch.

Just one problem with that – he`s not a leader. After watching the player since his new leadership role, it is clear someone else should lead the club. Whilst I am not questioning the player`s position in the team, I am his captaincy of the team. Dawson does not motivate the players – there is no shouting when things go wrong or encouragement when things go right – there may be the odd waft of an arm but that really is it.

When Ian Ashbee lead us to back to back promotions, the player`s knew they had a captain in their team – they would avoid doing something wrong knowing Ashbee would be having words with them – Dawson isn`t like that. However, since being handed the captaincy, his performances on the pitch have improved and Dawson has made a reliable start to the new season.

In my opinion, centre-back Sam Collins should be handed the captain`s armband. Not only did Collins captain the team last season but he was also the captain of his former side Port Vale. A captain of a team should be a centre-back or a central midfielder so that the player can see the whole of the game – with Dawson playing left-back, how can he send instructions to the right winger if he needs to without being out of position? From centre-back, Collins can do that.

Collins has made an impressive start to the new season since filling the defensive gap left by Delaney`s absence and giving him the captain`s armband would only flourish his performances. City needs a leader and the answer is not Andy Dawson.

We need motivation and determination on the pitch and whilst Dawson remains captain, we aren`t going to be getting that – the sooner someone such as Sam Collins is given the captain`s armband, the better.