With last season's captain Adam Lallana departed for Liverpool, the big question now is who his replacement might be, here we look at a few options.

I always found it strange that Adam Lallana was Saints captain, not for any reason other than I have never thought that so called flair players make good captains, in my book a captain needs to be able to lead from a central position be it at the back or midfield and needs to be the cool calm collected type.

That being the case Adam didn't fit that bill as Matthew Le Tissier didn't in another era, flair players need to b left to do what thy do best, in my opinion captaincy doesnt suit them.

So who will take over the armband for next season ? the obvious choice would have been Dejan Lovren, if he stays then perhaps it still would be, however many would find it unpalatable after the words attributed to him this summer.

Jose Fonte could be another candidate, he has all the attributes in that he has been at the club for a number of years and has that cool commanding presence on the pitch, my initial thoughts would be that he could be a good match for the armband.

But there are another couple of contenders in the centre of the park, Morgan Schneiderlin like Fonte has all the right qualities as does Jack Cork.

But perhaps the main requirement for the Captain's job is to be playing week in week out , that being the case then from our current squad we dont have a lot of players who have not only the basic requirements of a cool calm head but can be guaranteed first team regulars, in fact so far you cant look that far past the four players I have mentioned and if we believe the media two of them will soon be gone.

Another option would be to hand the armband to one of our new arrivals, the two so far don't look to be Captaincy material so it will be interesting to see who arrives.

A newbie might be good from the point of view that it is a fresh face and voice in the dressing room, someone who has not got any baggage from last season but who is Koeman's own man.

From this point of view I think that this could be a good option a clean start with a new Captain could prove to be a breath of fresh air to the squad.

There is of course no hurry to appoint the Captain, Koeman will be looking at just who he should pick over the coming weeks, he will be looking at the squad as to who has the personality for it rather than just hand the job to either your longest serving player or the fans hero.

Photo: Action Images

dirk_doone added 10:40 - Jul 15 Fonte wants it. Let him have it, especially, as other clubs are trying to get him. I guess it could make it more difficult for Schneiderlin to leave too if he accepted it, but it didn't stop Lallana going.
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saintnige added 10:54 - Jul 15 Nick -- wouldn't you consider Stephen Davis? International captaincy experience and a solid, reliable presence on the field. I expect him to be playing more this season and think he'd do a splendid (and dignified) job.
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ExiledSupporter added 11:16 - Jul 15 Yes, ideally MS would be my choice tho' I think JF or SD would do good jobs. Definitely not Lovren after his recent behaviour Trouble is that none of these at the outset and given the prevailing uncertainties are certain to be here and first XI choices at the start of the season. I'd go for Morgan with an early announcement just to make it a little harder for him to want away.

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Zambucco added 11:37 - Jul 15 Lovren the obvious choice, if he stays give it to him, the fans will soon forgive him. Steven Davis, leads by example, good choice, for me should be first name on team sheet. Definitely not a newbie!
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COYS1947 added 11:39 - Jul 15 If Lovren does stay and accepts the captaincy it would be a way for him to show he is serious about playing for us.
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SaintNick added 12:46 - Jul 15 I like Davis he would make a great captain, but Im not sure he is a bolted on starter in that at home he could be sacrificed for a more creative player
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davepid added 12:46 - Jul 15 Tell me, whose after Fonte and for how much?
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no7saint added 13:00 - Jul 15 Morgan for me, he's someone who exudes authority in the way he plays and who lays it on the line every week. Also having been here so long has the way we play in his DNA. Whether that makes him more likely to stay I don't know, but he's one I feel should be kept at all costs. That said Corky and Davis are excellent candidates also, as would Fonte although I feel it's in midfield that a captain has most impact.

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ItchenNorth added 13:11 - Jul 15 Schneiderlin all day long for me.
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BoondockSaint added 14:53 - Jul 15 I was suprised it was Lallana. The captain should be and older, steady leader on the field and respected in the locker room. Not only is he supposed to lead by his actions on the field, he should be the players' trusted representative to the manager and owner. I've always thought football should adopt the ice hockey rule that only the captain (or an alternate) can speak to the ref. It would cut down on the whinging and attempts to intimidate the officials.

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A1079 added 15:26 - Jul 15 Schneiderlin would be first choice if he is staying, Fonte otherwise who has been a great servant
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dirk_doone added 16:08 - Jul 15 @davepid Cardiff and Hull are the two clubs leading the chase for Fonte. Cardiff's first bid was turned down. Their latest bid is rumoured to be around £5m. He's worth more than that to us.
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