Who Should Be The Next Reading FC Captain?

Less than a year after being appointed club captain following the departure of Jobi McAnuff, Jem Karacan looks set for a move away from the Madejski Stadium. This article won't go into detail on Karacan's departure but whatever most fans' thoughts on his expected move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, few will surely disagree with the view that it was a shame that the 26 year old was only able to captain the Royals five times.

His departure once again leaves Reading starting pre-season looking for a new captain. The fact that Hal Robson-Kanu is the only remaining player to have started a game for the club before our most recent sojourn in the Premier League perhaps highlights the lack of obvious candidates.

Chris Gunter

Gunter is the only player at the club to have captained Reading at senior level. One of Steve Clarke's first moves after taking charge was to replace the Wales international as vice captain with the now departed Alex Pearce. Gunter's reaction to the move may encourage Clarke to give him another go as captain. Not only did he not complain his performances actually improved.

Under the tutelage of one of Britain's best defensive coaches Gunter showed far less signs of defensive frailty and his displays for his country have got better and better. If Clarke was to pick a player based on his frequency of engaging in small talk with the referee then Gunter would be a shoe in. That Gunter sat alongside Clarke in a press conference to mark Reading's tour of Thailand perhaps hints that the armband is his.

Chance of being captain: 8/10

Paul McShane

McShane has captained his country and certainly has the experience that some would want to see from a club captain. All the reports seem to suggest he has a great attitude and his career shows he's certainly not afraid from putting up a fight.

Being a new signing shouldn't count against him considering the high turnover of players at the club. Indeed he wouldn't be the first newbie to be made captain of the club: in 1996 Barry Hunter was made captain soon after signing from Wrexham.

Chance of being captain: 7/10

Stephen Quinn

Another experienced new signing. Quinn has always come across as a low key quiet character which may count against him in terms of the captaincy. He would be the sort of captain who leads by example rather than by bawling at teammates.

Chance of being captain: 5/10

Danny Williams

It says a lot about how good and popular Williams is when he's on form, that so many fans have advocated him as the man to take over the captaincy despite being injury prone, showing a tendency to be hot headed and occasionally going missing during games. Only Mick Gooding and Steve Sidwell in the last 20 years at Reading can match the US international for his ability to drive through teams from the middle of the park.

When he's good he shows all the characteristics you want from a captain: passion, drive, determination and the ability to make things happen. But we haven't really seen enough of that in his two years at the club. Maybe we shouldn't complain though, because if he was more consistent he probably would have left the Madejski Stadium by now. Despite his qualities his temperament may make him a risky choice for club captain.

Chance of being captain: 6/10

Others

Michael Hector spoke over the summer about one day captaining the club, but he admitted that it may be too soon for him just yet. Anton Ferdinand would be a candidate but there remain doubts about his fitness. There have been suggestions that Garath McCleary could be an option for vice captain in the hope that the responsibilities would force him to be more consistent. That the same argument for Robson-Kanu would be laughed at perhaps shows why McCleary, like his fellow winger, is unlikely to be considered by Clarke.

Who would you choose as captain? VOTE below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.