Captain Coloccini ready to lead by example

IT is a list that contains most of the names that have made a significant contribution to Newcastle United Football Club.

From Hughie Gallacher in the 1920s to Bob Moncur four decades later and on to modern-day greats such as Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer, the Magpies captain's armband has identified a select group of players who have shaped the club's destiny.

Last season, Kevin Nolan wore it with distinction, but the midfielder's recent departure to West Ham United created a vacuum that manager Alan Pardew took little time to fill.

The captaincy could have gone to Joey Barton, a player who never gives less than his all. It might have passed to Steven Taylor, a homegrown hero who was raised as a fervent Newcastle fan.

But instead, when the Magpies play the opening game of their American tour against Sporting Kansas on Wednesday, it will be Argentinian defender Fabricio Coloccini that assumes the mantle of skipper.

Coloccini will not be the club's first overseas captain - Geremi claimed that distinction during an ill-fated six-month spell under Sam Allardyce - but his promotion still represents something of a gamble given his faltering English, which has improved out of all recognition in the last three years but which is still far from perfect, and the enduring memory of his struggles in his first season as a Newcastle player.

Might the increased pressure and responsibility created by the armband adversely affect his performances on the pitch? Or will he embrace his new role and grow as both a player and person because of it?

"This is the first time I have ever been a captain," said Coloccini, who has made 115 appearances since joining Newcastle in a £10.3m move from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna in August 2008. "It was a big surprise, but it is also a big present.

"At some of my other clubs, I have been second or third choice, but I have never really worn the captains armband before. In Spain, the captain is normally the player who has been at the club for the most years. That is how most Spanish clubs choose their captain.

"Being a captain in England is different. It is a much bigger responsibility and I am ready for that. In other countries, the captain is not really any different to the other players at the club. But in England, they have a different role.

"The fans and the press give the captain more importance and you are seen as a much more of a figurehead for the club. Off the pitch, I know my job will change a bit. But on the pitch and the training ground, I will be trying to keep things the same."

Nevertheless, Coloccini will still find himself thrust to the heart of the internal power games that are played out at every club in the land.

Nolan was part of an influential group of senior players that included goalkeeper Steve Harper and midfielders Barton and Alan Smith, a cabal that exerted a considerable influence under former manager Chris Hughton.

Senior sources suggest Mike Ashley's unease at such player power was  a factor behind his decision to dismiss Hughton halfway through last season, and Pardew appears to have made a conscious effort to break up the so-called players committee.

The likes of Harper and Barton retain a powerful presence within the dressing room though, and it will be interesting to see how Coloccini goes about exerting his influence among such influential senior pros.

"I know there are a lot of leaders in the dressing room," said the South American. "But that is not a problem to me. Everyone wants to help the team, so I dont see there being any problems.

"I am not like Kevin. Kevin was a perfect captain for us in the last two seasons and played a really big role in us winning promotion and staying in the Premier League. Kevin was always talking, and I am more quiet than him.

"But I still think I can get my ideas and opinions across in a different way. In training, and on the pitch, I hope that I will provide a good example for the others to follow. That is what the team needs me to do, and that is the best way for me to be a leader.

"To assist in the leadership process, Coloccini has already revisited the English lessons he temporarily abandoned last year.

"I spoke with my teacher last week because I have to start my lessons again, he said. I left my course last year because my English had improved to a certain level, but now I am the captain, I think it needs to be even better.

"It is my responsibility to improve. Now I am the captain, I will have a lot more speaking to do, and I want to be able to do that properly."

One summer conversation in particular was significant, with Coloccini instructing his agent to ignore any clubs that wanted to sign him, despite lingering speculation linking him with a return to Spain.

"My agent spoke to me earlier in the summer and told me there were maybe some clubs that were interested in me, he said. But I am very happy here.I love the Premier League and I love playing for this football club. I always wanted to stay because leaving this summer never entered my mind."

With his future assured, Coloccini has turned his attention to the new campaign. Pardew has spoken of improving on last seasons 12th-placed finish and gradually reestablishing Newcastle as European contenders.

For the club's new captain, however, simply avoiding relegation is the overriding aim.

"Our first ambition has to be staying in the Premier League again, said Coloccini. Before we think about anything else, we have to work for that. Then if we can look higher than that, we will.

"We would also like to win one of the cups - that is a realistic aim. But at the start of the season, we have to set our bottom line as staying in the Premier League.

"We have a lot of new players, so we have to get to know them and they have to get to know us. This pre-season will be important, and the trip to America will be very important because it is the first real chance for us to mix together as a group."