Town fans choose Lee Bowyer as first choice captain in latest site poll
New signing Lee Bowyer is the fans’ first choice to be Ipswich Town’s captain for the upcoming 2011/12 season, according to the latest Vital Ipswich poll.
Following the departure of previous skippers David Norris and Gareth McAuley at the end of last season, Town have been looking for a new leader on the pitch. Several players have been tipped to replace the former leaders, with Grant Leadbitter having taken the armband for several of the Blues’ pre-season matches. However, with a number of new faces at the club this summer, manager Paul Jewell may decide to choose one of his summer arrivals to lead his new squad into the new campaign.
So who would the fans like as first choice captain this summer? We offered you seven candidates, and here’s how you voted:
Lee Bowyer 55%
Grant Leadbitter 32%
Marton Fulop 4%
Carlos Edwards 3%
Michael Chopra 3%
Damien Delaney 1%
Mark Kennedy 1%
Other 1%
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He might be a newbie, but Bowyer was the clear favourite with the fans to take the captain’s armband for this coming season, claiming over half the vote. The 34-year-old, who arrived on a free transfer following his release by Birmingham City, was seen by some as a controversial addition to Jewell’s squad, but as shown in a previous poll, it seems the overwhelming majority of Town fans are confident that his experience and quality will make him not only a good signing but a good skipper as well.
If there is to be a ‘vice-captain’ at Town, it is clear that Leadbitter would be the top choice. The former Sunderland midfielder claimed around a third of the vote, making him the only other genuine competitor for the armband in our poll. Amongst the other candidates, Marton Fulop – who may find his appearances limited following the arrival of David Stockdale – claimed 4%, and while summer signing Michael Chopra could well lead Town’s charge for the Premier League this season, he was not favoured to lead the team, tying with Carlos Edwards on 3%. Defender Damien Delaney and veteran Mark Kennedy completed the list with just 1% of the vote each.
It is difficult to say however whether boss Jewell shares the same view as the Town fans. Whilst Bowyer has been given the captain’s armband during pre-season, Leadbitter has worn it more often in friendly matches including Saturday’s home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. As such, could this mean that Grant will be the manager’s first choice?
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This week’s poll: ‘Do you think Ipswich Town are ready for the new season?’ (See right-hand column to view the list and place your vote)
Who do you think should be Town’s first choice captain this season? Would you be happy with Bowyer or Leadbitter, or do you think someone else should be the skipper? Share your thoughts using the comment box below.
You can also have your say on this topic on our club forums – just click the banner below to register an account with Vital Ipswich:
