Player Links Richard Edghill Club Links Manchester CityEDGHILL STRIPPED OF CAPTAINCY by Peter O`Rourke

MANCHESTER CITY defender Richard Edghill has been stripped of the captaincy of the side and dropped from next Tuesday's trip to Leeds.

Edghill has come in for some abuse from City fans over his performances and manager Joe Royle's decision comes after he scored an own goal and was replaced at half time in the home defeat to Coventry City last weekend.

The captain's armband has now been passed on to Norwegian midfielder Alfe Inge Haaland, who moved to Maine Road in the summer from Leeds for #2.5 million.

Edghill, who is the Blues' current longest serving player, could now find that his future at City is bleak after this humiliation.

Royle said he made the difficult decision for the good of the player.

"I have told Richard that I have taken the captaincy off him and that he will not be playing on Tuesday," said Royle. "I wanted to take him out of the firing line and try and relieve the situation surrounding him. I have asked Alfie Haaland to be captain and he has accepted.

"I thought it was better to do it now rather than wait until next week. Richard is naturally upset but the whole situation is upsetting. It has been done, believe me, for no other reason than to take pressure off him.

"I feel sorry for him because the lad loves the club. At the moment, form wise, he has not had the best of starts and relieving him of the captaincy, not taking it off him, will help him settle down and get back to his best form," said Royle.

City could have problems replacing Edghill in the team with straight replacement Lee Crooks out injured, so Royle may go into the transfer market to buy a new full back.

He could make a move for Newcastle's Andy Griffin who impressed against the City reserves this week or Sunderland's Chris Makin who has been in and out of Peter Reid's side.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000

Answers

First of all that seems to be wierd man management by Royle. Surely it would be better for everyone to see Edghill rolling up his sleeves and reminding them why he was captain in the first place.

Secondly, if the stories relating to Griffin are correct Man City have no chance!

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000