Really pleased Ramage has signed for the rest of the season. Reading his interview sounds like he expects to be here next season too. This is not a dig at Cranie, but he has never struck me as a leader on the pitch or off it. All of his interviews are always so on the fence he basically lives up there! When you read/listen to Ramage talk to the media it's like a breath of fresh air. He is 100% professional, committed and positive. I would make Ramage match day captain immediately and club captain in the summer.
I've not read the interview but I was reading his Wikipedia page yesterday and I gather he's out of contract in the summer. So he's effectively our player to lose and if making him captain helps with keeping him then that's another reason to do so.
Agreed, natural leader and motivator. If we get an experienced central midfield holding player, then you look at the spine of the team and it is solid:- Turnbull Ramage New midfield holding player Winnall Then blood the youth players and new up and coming players, around this strong spine.
I think even if we carry on making a poor attempt at promotion, stay in this league and championship sides come in for him in the summer that he might still sign for us and we'd not be out of the reckoning. Better teams than us would want him and offer him more money but I think he genuinely loves being at us and the fans see him as ours despite the loan. I think the thought of regular football, helping the youngsters develop, being nearer his home city and the possibility of a future coaching role whilst doing his qualification badges with us would appeal.
Completely agree. Ramage will be 32 next season and probably has maybe one or two seasons past this one. I think his priorities at this stage in his career are not who will pay him the most money. I think he has his eyes on one last promotion before retiring and to do that as captain would seal the deal. Vaguely related - how important do people think captains actually are in modern football?
Ramage is the only person in the squad I'd describe as a 'leader' but he's not captain because he's only on loan which is understandable. However, anyone that goes to watch us knows Ramage plays the captains role anyway. I'm sure Holgate & Digby must've got sick of hearing his voice Saturday
Agreed. Thats what I meant by asking how important captains actually are. Would it make any difference at all making Ramage captain seen as he already does everything a captain should do anyway. And likewise do the players view Cranie with any more respect when he has the armband on?
Not at all. You need 11 captains on the pitch or as near to that as you can find. Armbands don't mean as much as they used to.
I don't think it makes much of a difference these days. I think you get the odd case where a captain is influential like Gerrard, Keane & Terry but in general it doesn't make much of a difference. Keith Hill used it to boost Wiseman's confidence & then in my opinion gave it Butterfield in an attempt to get him to stay. He clearly didn't see the value in a captain been a leader
