Premiere League: Captain Gareth Barry Would Highlight Respect Agenda

The mainstream media has been awash with stories about respect in recent weeks. From Ashley Cole to Javier Mascherano, from John Terry to Wayne Rooney, issues of respect, or a lack of it, have dominated coverage of the EPL and the England National team.

Rio Ferdinand was the latest short term recipient of the England captaincy this week, with John Terry, once seen as the very pinnacle of 'English fighting spirit' relegated to the role of public enemy number 3 (edged out by 'Cashley' Cole and always a Vitriolic English media favourite 'Slag-Off the Argy' - this week being Mascherano's turn).

With respect and the Captaincy in mind, in my opinion, there should be only one contender for the role of England captain - Gareth Barry.

Barry behaves impeccably, on and off the pitch. He is Aston Villa captain, but unlike Ferdinand, Gerrard, Terry and Rooney, when he converses with officials he does not snarl, he does not shout, you rarely see him swear or dispute decisions in any other way than a cordial, adult manner.

He is fast moving towards 400 games for Aston Villa, despite being only 27, and while he picks up a few bookings, and the odd red card (3 in his career) this is surely to be expected from a commited defensive midfield player.

Furthermore, Barry appears to be a central part of the plans of Fabio Capello. He has started both of Capello's games in charge, playing 74 mins against Switzerland, and the full 90 mins against France. This has not always been the case in Barry's career, he was shamefully ignored by Sven Goran Eriksson, but since returning to the fold under Steve Mclaren he has barely put a foot wrong. He does the simple things, moves the ball, rarely giving it away, getting in the right positions and always wanting the ball from his team-mates. He has been man of the match several times since his return to the set up, and under Capello, looks set to be a fundamental part of the 4-2-3-1 formation that the coach prefers.

I am sure most Manchester United fans will want Ferdinand to be captain, most Liverpool fans will want Gerrard to be captain, most Chelsea fans will want Terry to be captain. Well I am afraid this is not about your petty oneupmanship and big 4 squabbles. This is about the England National Team, a new future, an adult era of respect for eachother and officials, valuing possession and doing your talking on the pitch. We do not want divers, we do not want abusers, we do not want bling merchants, referee harassers and drug test ignorers. We do not want short-termism and false highs.

Gareth Barry is a man of integrity, longevity, respect, loyalty and quality. He should be the England captain, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Mr Capello gives him his chance while he shuffles the captaincy around. This writer hopes it becomes more than just a chance.