05 Sep 2025 13:09:52
There seems to be a growing feeling amongst fans on here - one I'm starting to share - that Toti isn't worth his place in the side at present after a handful of shaky performances. For me he has never really seemed to fit the traditional image of a captain on the pitch anyway and I was surprised when he was given the role in the first place. Now that his place in the starting eleven is coming under such close scrutiny, it seems there are those who feel this presents a problem. Sorry but can't agree. If his selection can't be justified on the strength of recent performance on the pitch, he should not be playing. If he's the best choice as club captain - far from obvious for me - why can't we have a different leader on the pitch? I know JSL may have had his head turned for a few crucial days whilst under extreme pressure to consider his long term future, he is a far better fit for the role of motivator on the pitch and those few minutes v West Ham produced the most spirited performance we've seen from Wolves so far this season. If we have to rule out Andre and Joao because they have a lot on their plate and will inevitably miss matches through suspension as the season wears on, I personally would give this a go. Any thoughts? Ready to be shot down, of course.

1.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 14:24:21
That's a good call, JSL has the respect of the squad and he is level headed. A darling of the club and great command of English. Would be a just reward for his continuation with the club.

2.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 15:18:13
Fair assessment PaghamWolf I mentioned the other day, only players pretty much guaranteed to start are JSL, Sa, Joao and I thought Andre until recently. On last seasons form Agbadou as well, be interesting to see what VP does. I get the feeling he will persevere with Toti, with Agbadou and our new signing as the back 3 for now. If the mistakes and slow hesitant play continues though surely he has to change.

3.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 16:04:10
I mentioned jsl way back pegham, he seemed to be the natural mouthpiece directing and supporting Hoever verbally when he was struggling. Is he an on field captain or more club captain I don't know but one things for certain, we need somebody with wisdom and experience to show some mettle and unify us. Who? Dunno.

4.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 16:29:11
In fairness I do think we are all doing what us fans always do and over complicating this whole captains debate ?
Let's not forget that VP himself seemed reluctant to name a single person which is why he went with the Leadership group approach:
"I will decide the four captains and I believe they can help us inside and outside the pitch, "
Those four were Toti, Sa, Gomes and Doherty. So in fairness to VP he's kind of pre-emptively fixed this problem. Personally I think it's time for Toti to get a break and put on the bench (as much to protect his confidence as anything else). Then it's just a simple case of VP choosing the best option on the day for the next match, with the decision hopefully being helped along by who's working hardest in training ?

5.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 16:32:25
Joao or Agbadou for me. Both natural leaders.

6.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 16:46:33
I think you've actually got to ask two questions;

1. If Toti doesn't play who does, because VP likes his centre backs to be quick and good with the ball which eliminates Bueno and Doc, Mosquera might be an option but he's got to get match fit first.

2. How was the captain chosen? At the end of July the squad were all asked to vote who they believed was the most underrated member of the squad. Toti got the majority of votes including votes from Munetsi, Bellegarde, Hwang and even Joao (who many are suggesting for captain).
It's a reasonable assumption that this respect that he commands from his peers weighed heavily in his selection as captain!

7.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 18:41:42
So you're suggesting that Toti is Captain because he's the most underrated? Or have I read your post incorrectly?

8.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 18:51:43
Toti was voted most underrated by a majority of the team, i.e. most of the squad value him higher than he is generally perceived by outsiders. The squad really rate him and like him.

9.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 19:00:07
Or Mol Toti's been outspoken within his peer group about the amount of game time he got last season and this was his friends way of trying to push him up the pecking order? Just because a friend thinks your good at something doesn't always mean your the best choice. I'm sure VP knows what he's doing with it so time will tell. All I would say is that VP has been adamant that he wanted another left sided cb and he got it in Krecji. Not only did he get it but we paid top price, I can't see us doing that unless VP thought he would be starting most matches to be honest ?

10.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 21:21:50
I'm with BullysBoy 11. I think the whole captain debate in football is overstated. It's not like cricket where the captain is essentially responsible for on field tactical management. What a football team needs is strong characters throughout the group to motivate, lift and inspire those around them, but any one of that number could be the nominal captain on the day.
That said, while I don't hold with the importance of a single designated captain, the fact that we are struggling to find even one player from our team to fit the bill, suggests we may have a problem!

11.) 05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025 21:50:05
I would add that the captain should have vision and ability to verbally command situations, when you bandy the armband around I think you lose the later. Hwang was wearing it the other night whilst being hardly involved . Larsen hasn't worn it but seems listened to. Sa can see the game in front of him and line up his defence but he can't speak with the ref at thr other end or middle of the pitch Matty.

12.) 06 Sep 2025
06 Sep 2025 11:25:26
BullysBoy II I'm not sure that rings true as the only players to play more than Toti las season were Ait Nouri, J Gomes and Semedo.

You may be right about the reasons about signing a LCB, but it's maybe more a case of balancing the squad with another left footed defender, 3 CBs can accommodate 2 left footers.

I still maintain that Toti was our second best CB last season (not hard I know) and unless Mosquera can get/stay fit and prove his ability Toti is our still our 2nd/3rd choice CB.

For me the pecking order is Agba, Krejci (hopefully), Toti, Mosquera, Bueno, Doherty

13.) 06 Sep 2025
06 Sep 2025 16:54:31
Fair enough Mol, I like Toti but I do think his positioning/awareness and passing can let him down at times. He also needs to stop picking up silly red cards if he's going to be a reliable CB. For me, if fully fit and injury free I actually think Mosquera could be our best CB. Problem is that he's yet to successfully make it through a full three months of playing Prem footy! Let hope that this is HIS year!