Toon boss McClaren must not rush captaincy

Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren must think carefully before choosing a new leader on Tyneside or there may bedamaging consequences, writes Harry De Cosemo.Even without a competitive game this weekend, Newcastle United couldn’t avoid being at the centre of a city-wide debate.The Premier League was taking a break, allowing the FA Cup to take centre stage which usually means a time to switch off from football and enjoy a stress free break from working life.Breaks from football rarely go down wellon Tyneside, an area known to use the team as a centre point of their lives. It israther cliche to say the game is like a religion, but perhaps oxygen is a better metaphor – some people just cannot survive without a ball being kicked.For those, Newcastle’s trip to La Manga was enough to keep the juices flowing as Steve McClaren saw the halt in action as an opportunity to bond the team together, with a friendly against Norwegian side Lillestrom.Others, though, saw the whole episode as a meaningless endeavour, a feeble way to distract from yet another reminder of a season being rendered a failure by the opening weeks of January.On the positive side, a 2-1 victory made it a happy outing, but with another rest set for next week, it’ll be interesting to see how the club fills that time.Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Rolando Aarons could prove a big confidence booster after some poor results of late and McClaren himself says he hopes it can prove the turning point in a floundering campaign.But it is hard to see what a friendly victory in a warm climate can bring that other, more important, past results haven’t.It all seemed laborious but the talk over the captaincy which reared a head towards the end of last year under JohnCarver, appeared yet again.New signing Jonjo Shelvey has offered a lot since joining last month – both onand off the pitch – and his leadership qualities were rewarded with the armband in Fabricio Coloccini’s absence.The fires were stoked last week when Carver, speaking in an interview, openly criticised Coloccini’s credentials as captain, claiming he only plays for himself.It is true to say he can be more influential in some games than others, but giving Shelvey the role on a full timebasis at this point as has since been suggested by some would prove detrimental in Newcastle’s relegation battle in more ways than one.Firstly, and most crucially, it would senda very poor message in Coloccini’s direction. The Argentine defensive powers have waned somewhat recently,as has is rapport with fans, but he remains popular and should be remembered fondly for key roles in the club’s return to the Premier League and,subsequently, Europe.Talk of a departure has been rife for a number of years, but McClaren made the decision to back him in a tough timeby offering him a new contract in the summer. Whether that was the right callis debatable, but he will prove a vital figure in the run-in when fit, so must be kept happy.Calling on Shelvey would also send a strong and unhealthy message to a number of senior figures who would also see themselves as candidates in the squad.Daryl Janmaat was earmarked as the ideal man to step up before, while Wijnaldum, Newcastle’s top scorer with nine goals, has title winning experience leading PSV Eindhoven in Holland and has also made waves on Tyneside.Both Cheick Tiote and Moussa Sissoko, chosen on different occasions by Carver and Alan Pardew, would also consider themselves with a shout should the opportunity arise – it is an argument that will more than likely rumble on.Coloccini is set to be assessed over an injury picked up in Spain, despite not featuring in the game and could be out for a month, in which case fans will waitwith bated breath to see whether Shelvey continues to lead in the crunch period.If he does indeed miss a hefty chunk of an important fixture list, it will severely weaken an already threadbare defence on both numbers and confidence. Chancel Mbemba is yet to return, while Steven Taylor and Jamaal Lascelles haven’t covered themselves in glory when given the chance.Football is never far from the agenda in Newcastle, even when the team isn’t in action. Fans will have been frustrated having to look on as others chased cup glory, but next week’s absence could bemuch more damaging. Manchester City are in the Capital One Cup final, meaning relegation rivals will be handedthe chance to gain the upper hand with the side already in the bottom three.Steve McClaren has a decision to make,one many have wanted for a while. Changing the captaincy is something that should be taken care of in the summer, and he should heed these warnings before choosing his next step.