Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Monday July 28 2008
Time: 8:28AM
UK time is: 22:26:44
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The Aston Villa Captain Conundrum
Nigel Hokey-Cokey has spoken of his pride at being the Villa captain for the game against Odense BK on Saturday.
The former West Ham skipper told AVTV online
'It was fantastic to lead the team out. It is hard to put into words. It's something I'd like to reflect on when my career is over. To be able to say 'I captained Aston Villa - one of only four English clubs to lift the European Cup' is absolutely fantastic. It is a real honour to do that for a fantastic club. We are a new generation now and we want to be successful in Europe too.'
What great sentiments from NRC.
He also said 'We are confident we can go a long way in the UEFA Cup. You only have to look at the way we managed to get through the Intertoto Cup. People shouldn't be fooled into thinking that these are mickey-mouse teams. It was tough opposition, hard to play against and there were few chances. As the manager said 'if we don't do well in Europe, what we did last season won't count for anything.''
SO.
If you were Martin O'Neill what would you do for captain?
Our last poll on the subject of who should be our new captain, dated 10 Jul 2008, had the following results:
Martin Laursen (60%)
Nigel Hokey-Cokey (26%)
John Carew (he is bigger than me and you) (9%)
Curtis Davies (1%)
Ashley Young (1%)
Steve Sidwell (1%)
A.n.other new signing (1%)
Not bothered, doesn't mean much these days (1%)
So it is between Martin Laursen and Nigel Hokey-Cokey one would think as they are the two players to have been given the armband by MON since Gareth Barry shot himself in the proverbial foot.
OR is it between those two? What would Martin O'Neill do if Gareth Barry did decide to stay OR if no team bids the right price for him so he stays by default? He has been a very fine club captain for Villa but did let himself down this summer with his ill advised article in the News of the World which you can put down to poor advice from agents etc but at the end of the day (great footballing expression!) he is a grown man who can make his own decisions.
Personally IF he committed his future to us and even considered a new contract, I would hand back the captaincy to him. However if he remains at Villa by default, I'd possibly give the armband to either Martin Laursen (my favoured choice I think) or Nigel Hokey-Cokey (who if he sticks around is surely a future captain anyway?)
Not an easy choice is it?
Have your say, vote on our poll, who would you have?!
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Your Comments
On the post match interview Ashley Young refered to Barry as 'skip' so you can see that he still remainss the captain in his eyes at least. I like Barry personally, as you put he shot himself in the foot, but on Saturday after Boumas injury heads dropped, Barry came on and was so calm on the ball and in my opinion the best player on the park. We have to remember though its not just what we see on the pitch that makes you captain its on the training pitch and in the dressing room, for these reason I think MON will make the right decision.
Tez86
if circumstances permit and he stays out of choice then i would more than happy to see him wear the armband. I do feel that if stays he will need to commit himself to the cause publically though. the danger is that he waits to do this until it becomes clear to everyone that no one is going to meet the asking price. dangerous game from his point of view. Either way i want him to stay
UTV
Barry or Laursen would be great captains. We are lucky that the Villa team has more than half a dozen candidates who would be more than worthy to wear the armband.
bellywipes
If Barry chooses to stay, then he should retain the captaincy. If he stays by default, then Laursen should get it before NRC simply because if we do make a few signings, then NRC may not be gaurenteed a starting spot.
romanianvillain
only GB or Laursen are good enough to be an automatic choice end of!
Villan57
villan57, what about Young? Plus Bouma (when fit), Davies (when fit), Big John? Ok, none of those are captaincy options (maybe Carew), but certainly automatic choices (no argument about Young surely!).
romanianvillain
Young could never be a captain. He dives too much and thats not leading by example. He seems to be very quiet on the pitch and appears quite young (no pun).
KSarge1
Yes Youngs diving is starting to get on my Tits!
Villan57
The captaincy clearly went to NRC's head. He had more shots in one afternoon, than he ever did in the whole of last season. As for the permanent captaincy role, I'd give it to Mr Reo-Coker. Go get em Nige!
glensider
Barry if he kisses and makes up else its got to be Laursen, providing it doesn't distract him from being one of the best defenders in the premier league. Else NRC but i think Carew would love to have the armband too. And you're not going to argue with him really now are you!
tonybrum
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