Mick McCarthy has called on whoever he names captain to inspire through deed as much as word when Wolverhampton Wanderers begin their Championship campaign at Plymouth on Saturday.
The Wolves manager has not settled on a skipper yet, though he revealed that Karl Henry and Jody Craddock were his two options, but he said last night that he wants more than motivational speeches and fist-pumping from his on-field leader.
Henry and Craddock have already captained the side during McCarthy’s two-year tenure and the former Republic of Ireland coach will make a final decision before this weekend’s appointment at Home Park.
“They are the best two candidates,” McCarthy said. “They are the two guys in the frame, although it depends on who’s playing of course.
“There’s more to being a leader than being demonstrative and vocal - because people sometimes get sick of hearing that. So while I do like the captain to talk and be vocal on the pitch, I think it’s about leading by example and playing the way you play.”
McCarthy is fortunate that he has more than one option and is fully aware of both players’ similar qualities. “Jody’s come through some tough times here and he’s been a stayer,” he said. “Whenever he plays, good, bad or indifferent, Jody Craddock is 100 per cent every single time.
“It’s the same with Karl Henry. Then you look around and think who is vocal and there aren’t that many of them. But you know what you’re going to get out of them every single week - they’re the ones who are seven out of 10 every week.
“Someone else might be eight or nine out of 10 for a couple of weeks, but Jody is consistent. That’s what makes good captains. Consistency and character are two main things, but their team-mates respect them for what they do.
“They’re maybe not the ones who catch the eye with a flashy pass or a goal, but if you were picking teams in training, Jody and Karl would be one of the first picks.”
