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Declan: I don’t want to be told to eff off

It’s tricky believing that Declan finds anything a problem as his career goes higher and higher!

But the Hammers skipper admits he has one big task in front of him and he’s going to have to forget his nerves, take his courage in both hands, and get on with it.

Wearing the armband has been a huge boost to his career but it brings issues with it in one so young and the 21-year-old Iron isn’t shy about putting his anxieties out there.

David Moyes clearly has no such worries about his captaincy abilities but there’s a big issue at stake for his new captain who admits he has to learn how to speak his mind to his team-mates.

Most would realise why he is where he is and be ready to take it. However, Declan has admitted he is having a few problems giving it at this stage of his career.

Speaking on the Super 6 podcast, he added: “When you’re on that pitch, you’ve got the armband on, it’s your responsibility to lead the team and that’s why I’m so vocal.

“I’ll say stuff, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I hold myself in obviously because I’m still a youngster. I don’t want to come across to one of the older players and be told to f-off.

“Noble is so good at it where he doesn’t care, he’ll just say it how it is whereas sometimes I’m a bit reserved.

“I feel that I can’t really say that because I’m only 21, but for him obviously he’s been there, done it, he’s been captain for years and where you just say it like it is and you don’t care what anyone else’s opinion is.

“I am gonna have to get like that. I know it’s hard.”

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

3 comments on “Declan: I don’t want to be told to eff off

  1. Leadership is just as much knowing when not to say something as when to.

  2. It is reported that Declan Rice said, ‘ I don’t want to come across to one of the older players and be told to f-off.’ he is young and learning. Perhaps, as a captain following the footsteps of Moore, Bonds and Noble amongst others he might prefer to take a moment and articulate his thoughts articulated for public consumption a bit more civilly. But, will he take the advice? Time will tell but as one of his admiring WHU fans I hope do. COYI!

  3. Declan has not been declared Captain yet . Though many of us think he should be to secure his future at West Ham United . Mark Noble should actually stand down as captain and let Declan progress if we want to keep him at the LS . The most important thing here is West Ham as a football club keep trying to climb the ranks in the Premiership . Declan is young and full of courage and has proven himself worthy of the responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband . We have our very own next BOBBY MOORE and we should treat him like Gold .
    ( no pun intended , of course ) . The sooner we tell Chelski to go away the better .
    But having said that it depends an awful lot on what the club & Declan have to say . Still no words of Declan’s future from either himself or the Club . That , I find to be very disturbing .

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