Taylor picks Friedel as new skipper

Holte End favourite Ian Taylor believes goalkeeper Brad Friedel is the best candidate to be Villa’s new skipper.

The club will kick off next season with a new captain, following the retirement of Martin Laursen and departure of Gareth Barry to Manchester City.

Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Curtis Davies and Ashley Young were all given the honour in the pair’s absence last season, but it is 38-year-old veteran keeper Friedel whom Taylor believes is best equipped for the job.

And he knows a thing or two, he has previously worn the very same armband for Villa.

He said: “Brad has a wealth of experience. He seems the captain type. Gareth and Martin led by example rather than being screamers and shouters. Brad is the same.

“He’s calm. I’m not usually a fan of a goalkeeper being captain but there aren’t that many options and I think he’s the best of them.

“It has to be a mainstay of the team who will be playing every week, so with Brad you know he’s going to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

“At the moment we don’t know if Nigel Reo-Coker will still be there and although Curtis captained West Brom, I think he is still a bit young.

“If I had to choose an outfield player it would be Luke Young. He’s a level headed guy and captained Charlton.

Barry has been mooted as City’s next skipper but Taylor is adamant the role should not be handed to one of Villa’s new arrivals.

The former midfielder said: “I always think it’s strange, because they don’t know the players. There has to be trust and respect and it takes time.”

Peter Schmeichel was the last Villa goalkeeper to receive the honour, wearing the armband during the 2001/02 season.

See Also:

This article was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 9:34 am.
View more articles about: brad friedel, charlton, gareth barry, luke young, manchester city, martin laursen, petrov, villa, west brom.

1
Aaron

June 29, 2009 at 2:22 pm

I reckon theres only 3 choices for the captains armband at the moment:

Friedel
Petrov
Carew

In the future:

Milner
Davies
Young

Report abuse
2
Oldburyite

June 29, 2009 at 2:57 pm

Goalies should never be given the captaincy, they are out of touch with the players for long periods, how can a goalie organise free kicks in the opponants box for instance, it has to be an outfielder.

Report abuse
3
The Bilston Villan

June 29, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Tayl’s, you are a Villa Legend and we all love you to bits. But have you gone completely Ga-Ga? Friedel as Captain??? I always thought that one of the main criteria in selecting a captain was that he would play in every game. Judging by Friedel’s performances last season, which were dodgy, to say the least, I can see Guzan getting in and staying in at some stage this season.

If you spread that same criteria across the rest of the squad, then O’Neill has a problem. And judging by O’Neills erratic selection policy last season, it could be anyone from Ashley Young, Gabby or Stan.

Report abuse