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Steve McClaren tells Coloccini ‘it’s good to talk’

8 years ago
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Steve McClaren has revealed that he and his coaching team have been proactive in encouraging Fabricio Coloccini to talk more.

The Head Coach saying he thinks his Captain is becoming more vocal as a result.

In the past, Alan Pardew would dismiss criticism of how Coloccini approached the captaincy. When questioned about the lack of talking on the pitch and off it, in his media duties, Pardew would say that the Argentine was simply a different type of Captain who showed others by example.

However, under Steve McClaren it does appear that Coloccini has been talking a bit more on the pitch and with two TV (in English) interviews already this season, including after the win at Bournemouth, it appears to back up the United boss’ comments about ‘encouraging’ his captain to take a more active role.

Considering the past seven years had seen only one interview in English to camera, it is progress!

Obviously results on the pitch are the only thing that matters but a lot of factors go towards bringing them about.

The Captain’s job is what you make of it and you have to accept that certainly at other clubs, Captains play a far bigger role than just turning up on a matchday and playing their own game for 90 minutes.

The likes of John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer….and others, have shown their leadership on and off the pitch. It hasn’t been great down these recent season when after any heavy defeat, and there have been plenty, you have Coloccini hiding in the background whilst fringe/young players are sent out to face the cameras and represent the players/club after a hammering.

Captaining Newcastle United is an honour and a privilege, which also comes with responsibilities for Coloccini or whoever else is doing the job.

It is a real positive that Steve McClaren is tackling the issue, something which was allowed to fester under Alan Pardew’s management.

Steve McClaren:

“Coloccini leads by example and we have talked to him a lot about the responsibility and the role that he has within the team.

“Once he came back and committed (new contract in summer) to us and bought in (to the new management), he has been terrific.

“I think he has becoming more vocal and that is something which we are encouraging.

“If we keep on this way, then we’ll be okay, he has to lead by example to gain that respect.

“He knows, and we tell him, as captain you have to make sure that you do your job first and make sure you do it well.

“On Saturday (v Bournemouth), when we needed him, he was really top drawer.”

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