Does size matter? In the modern football world, this is a huge matter of debate.
There has undoubtedly been an increase in the physicality of players in recent times, as factors such as scientific developments and improved diets has witnessed average heights increase and the emergence of a raft of six-foot-plus players throughout many teams.
Does this mean that there is no place in the game for the smaller player? If there is, can teams only afford to carry one or two who compromise their ability to compete physically with other sides?
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Football is littered with stars, fans' favourites and , but is there, or has there ever been, anyone so good that they could force the tag of a "one-man team" upon their side?
There are numerous examples of successful teams who have had this suggestion aimed at them, from the of 1986 to modern-day Liverpool, inspired by .
Even Manchester United now stand accused as continues his huge contribution towards their quest for silverware this season.
Teams will always have star players, usually goalscorers or creators, but to suggest that they can be solely responsible for success is, in my opinion, far from the case.
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Armbands are confusing. After all, when you are young they help to keep you afloat and yet fast forward a few years, and an armband, with its expectation and pressure, can weigh a footballer down. If you are given such a role and responsibility then you must sink or swim!
Alongside some of the burdens that a captaincy can press upon a player, there is of course much prestige, honour and hopefully enjoyment and success from being given such a role within a club.
If we associate being a skipper with all of these potential pitfalls and advantages, then it must be an important decision for a manager to make and with this in mind how does he come to identifying the right player for the job?
In some cases, or for some coaches it may be as simple as picking the most experienced or most talented player but for others the process will be given more thought.
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and ploughed fields! Two of the most commonly used phrases to describe the condition of a football pitch and each at either end of surface quality spectrum.
The state of the playing surfaces in the is a hot topic at present and, while not wishing to join the significant criticism they have attracted, I thought it would be better to question whether a poor pitch can influence performances and results.
Initially, it is nonsense to suggest that there is no effect upon a player's display as a consequence of the surface being sub-standard. As, surely, if and then a footballer can suffer from playing on a "ploughed field"!
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It is fair to say that the world of football is not often complimented on its extensive vocabulary, and therefore it is ironic that one of the most apt and popular recent additions to the English dictionary had its origins in our sport.
Iain Dowie's "bounce-back-ability" is relevant to so many footballers and football teams the length and breadth of the country on a weekly basis because there are always winners and losers, and always heroes and villains!
The latter in both cases must demonstrate resolve and must aim to provide a positive reaction to the disappointment they have suffered.
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I was released as a teenager from the Scottish Premier League, had the hardening experiences of junior and part-time football and came back to the top flight with four years at university thrown in! I'm Jack Ross, a defender with Dunfermline and I aim to give you an insight into the life and mind of a professional footballer.
