Steven Gerrard: Aston Villa star John McGinn ‘trying too hard’ after being named captain
Steven Gerrard believes new Aston Villa captain John McGinn has been “trying too hard” to impact games after being handed the armband.
At the start of the season, Gerrard made the bold decision to strip the out-of-favour Tyrone Mings of captaincy at Villa Park, instead handing the armband to 27-year-old McGinn.
The Scot had already led the side out on a number of individual occasions, but was handed the role permanently by Gerrard after it became clear that Mings had fallen down his pecking order.
However, McGinn’s time as captain has not started swimmingly, with the Villans currently sat down in 17th following just one win in six.
“He hasn’t changed and I haven’t expected him to change,” Gerrard told Birmingham Live. “I think he’s maybe been trying too hard, if you like, which we thought would happen.
“He’s had the captaincy individually on a few occasions and we felt his performances were that he was trying too desperately. That’s not a fault, that’s John McGinn. I think that’s a real positive about him but it’ll take time.”
Growing into the role
McGinn certainly possesses enough leadership and character to spearhead Villa to success – he just needs more experience under his belt.
The energetic Scot always gives his all on the pitch and his high work rate will always be admired by the Villa Park faithful. However, McGinn needs to learn when to slow things down and calm his squad.
At times this season, Villa have needed a level-headed player to just take control of the match tempo and reorganise the team – McGinn hasn’t quite mastered that art yet.
However, out of all the players in history that you would want advising you about how to lead a side, Gerrard is certainly up there at the top of that list.
The former Liverpool and England captain knows a thing or two about how to lead from the front, whether that be vocally or through his actions. McGinn will pick it up along the way, and he deserves enough time to get there.
In other Aston Villa news, goalkeeper Emi Martinez is could miss Southampton clash after falling ill