Jags, the new Captain of Everton

Michael Kenrick , 2 May, 15comments | Jump to most recent

Phil Neville – a big act to follow

Phil Jagielka will replace Phil Neville as Everton's club captain next season, David Moyes has confirmed. The England centre-half has deputised this season in the absence of Neville, who will leave the club when his contract is up this summer. The manager has taken an early decision to appoint Jagielka skipper. He told the club's official website: "If Phil Neville hasn't played, Jags has taken on the role — and he will do.

"He's developed into a top central defender. His performances have been excellent.

"He just needs to look at Phil and see how he conducts himself off the field, making sure the players are alright and everything's going in the right direction.

"If Jags can do that we'll hopefully have another period of success with a successful captain, but he's got a big act to follow because Phil Neville off the field is terrific for the players and he's been a great captain on the field."

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports News

Jags relishing the role of Everton Captain

Reader Comments (15)

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Andrew Dutton
1 Posted 02/05/2013 at 14:31:59

Now, whether you are, or are not a Moye's fan, and irregardless of whether you do, or do not want him to stay, my question is, has he played his hand too early?

Isn't this the decision of the Manager, and if so, why would he do this if his intention was to leave, only for another manager to come in and appoint someone else?

Shane Corcoran
2 Posted 02/05/2013 at 14:55:55

Andrew, if he hesitated in such matters everyone would say it's because he's going to leave.
If I were in his shoes I'd carry on as normal and deal with issues such as these.

Brian Harrison
3 Posted 02/05/2013 at 14:56:37

Andrew

I hope you are right and he is staying, but I think he is just doing his job till the end of the season. He is identifying who will take over from Phil next season, but he knows that a new manager may change that decision. He is still scouting players for Everton which again that's what he is paid to do, now whether the board or the new manager go along with his targets is another matter. I mean if he hadn't said who was to be captain next season the press no doubt would have asked is that a sign that he was definitely leaving seeing he hadn't appointed a new captain.

Sadly I think we will have to wait till the season is over before knowing his decision.

Andrew Dutton
4 Posted 02/05/2013 at 15:28:43

I agree in part, but surely there is no need to bring it up at all. It is something that should be addressed at the start of next season. Phil Neville is still contracted to the club, and as already pointed out by Moyes, Jags takes over in Phil's absence anyway. Therefore it is not something that needs to be brought up at all, in my opinion. Just let them carry on as they have been doing, and at the start of next season, when most clubs appoint their Captains and Vice Captains, make that announcement then.

John Gee
5 Posted 02/05/2013 at 14:47:20

Unless we dig up Bobby Moore and invest in some extra strong smelling salts, appointing Jags is a no brainer. He's consistently performed at a good standard, plays the game in a good spirit, plays at centre back but will move for the good of the team, doesn't get mixed up with unsavourary incidents outside work and seems likeable and popular with other players.

Jamie Crowley
7 Posted 02/05/2013 at 21:47:11

Moyes is not leaving... and Jags is an excellent choice.

And no, I don't care in this instance if he mindlessly whacks it forward occasionally. He gives his all for Everton and he's a superb choice for Captain.

Drew Shortis
8 Posted 02/05/2013 at 22:39:15

Everyone knows that Everton's recent success has been built upon a solid defence and Jags has been a massive part of that for years now. I can't think of anyone else at the club that would be more qualified for the job. Jags may have to grow into the role but he has the right attributes to be a good captain, he's committed to the cause, consistent, determined and has a professional personality when interviewed. Good luck PJ!

Steve Edwards
9 Posted 03/05/2013 at 00:32:27

Brian (616). I disagree, we have a captain for this season so why mention next season? Especially when there are obvious doubts about his future, he simply didn't have to bring the subject up. All it dose is stoke up the kind of attitude to Moyes seen in the posts on here. If he can leave the decision on signing a new contract until the end of the season, then you would think it would be a lot easier to leave this decision until the end of the season as well.

Adam Fenlon
10 Posted 03/05/2013 at 02:04:52

Safe to say that as long as he's still here, Jags would be the captain whoever the Manager is, so its got nowt to do with Moyes staying or going.

Dan McKie
11 Posted 03/05/2013 at 15:13:40

Adam, a new manager might buy his own captain. When Fat Sam when to West Ham, the first thing he did was buy Nolan and make him captain. I think it is a valid point that some have made. I don't think it needed mentioning. It is like the press have be badgering him with "Never mind your contract Moyes, for christ sake, who will be captain next year!?!?".

Jimmy Kelly
12 Posted 03/05/2013 at 16:47:40

I love the suggestion that always comes up about these things, that he 'brings it up'. As though managers just walk into a press conference and start chatting away!

All of the quotes like this that you see are in answer to questions being asked of him. If he doesn't answer them he gets accused on here of being surly and not media friendly but when he gives an honest answer he gets criticised aswell.

If he goes and a new manager picks a new captain, so what? Comments that Moyes makes now will have no impact on performances under someone else.

Andrew Dutton
13 Posted 03/05/2013 at 20:48:49

Jimmy, these are comments from Jags himself, saying Moyes pulled him into his office and told him. It has nothing to do with Moyes being misquoted. The point we are making is there is absolutely no reason to make that decision til the start of next season.

Michael Dawson
14 Posted 04/05/2013 at 12:50:57

Is it not worth thinking about this from the player's point of view rather than making it all about Moyes?

We can't afford to lose Jags. Now admittedly the press certainly isn't full of rumours of clubs coming in for him, but given that we're unlikely to make Europe then the prospect of an approach by a club offering superior wages could unsettle him. Getting this announcement out early surely has the psychological effect of tightening his bond to the club.

Jimmy Kelly
15 Posted 04/05/2013 at 15:47:35

Andrew, are you suggesting that this is an article in which Jags repeatedly refers to himself in the third person? If so then Jimmy Kelly doesn't think he should even be considered for the captaincy as Jimmy Kelly thinks that is a very annoying trait.

Ross Edwards
16 Posted 06/05/2013 at 15:21:16

I think instead of being involved with preparations for next season where he might not even be here, I think Moyes should actually clarify whether he will be here or not, and then he can do whatever he wants.

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