Darren Moore sharing responsibility at West Brom
Darren Moore has been sharing the armband around this season because he sees captains dotted all around his team.
Chris Brunt is club captain, so whenever the long-serving midfielder is on the pitch, he skippers the side.
But Brunt has been rotating with Gareth Barry in central midfield during the congested Championship fixture schedule.
In his absence, Moore has given the armband to Craig Dawson, Jake Livermore and Barry himself.
James Morrison has also been captain in the Carabao Cup.
Several of Moore’s choices have raised eyebrows among the fanbase.
Livermore and Barry were two of the Cab Four, who allegedly stole a taxi in Barcelona last season, and Dawson was made skipper just weeks after he handed in a transfer request and refused to go on a pre-season training camp to Portugal.
Moore waved away the suggestion he was using the armband as a tool to repair relationships between specific players and supporters or as a reward for good performances.
But he did say he wanted those wearing it to take great pride in leading out the Baggies.
“Chris Brunt is captain,” he said. “When Chris Brunt plays, he skippers the team. He has the official title.
“If Chris isn’t playing, outside of Chris, I see captains all over the team.
“Any one of them should feel like they’re capable or have the responsibility of leading the team out.
“We’re all out there to get the same thing.
“Whoever gets the armband, gets that title, but their commitment to the football club should be second to none (regardless).
“You’ve seen one or two players have the armband and they’ve led themselves and the team in great stature, from Gareth Barry, Craig Dawson and now Jake Livermore.
“It’s not a reward. I just hope that whoever has been tasked to lead the team out has a great pride.”
Moore himself is a former captain of the Baggies, having worn the armband during his playing days.
Albion’s head coach enters the international break second in the table after an unbeaten streak of seven games in the Championship.
“The thing that’s pleased us so far has been that the group is trying to take on board what we’re giving them,” he said. “That togetherness is only a good thing.
“Results have been good in a competitive and demanding league and long may that continue.
“We’re by no means the finished article but we’re working every day to try and get better.”
