Gordon Strachan reveals reasons behind David Wheater armband axe

Gordon Strachan has explained why he axed defender David Wheater as Middlesbrough skipper.

The youngster was appointed to lead Boro by ex-boss Gareth Southgate, despite only being 22 and having two top level seasons under his belt.

One of Strachan’s first moves has been to hand the armband to experienced midfielder Gary O’Neil.

Strachan, who is still looking for his first win, said: “I thought it was better to have a captain who knows what I expect all round the pitch. David is getting to grips learning the game himself. He is a centre half and they don’t come in to prime until 25-28.

“Gary is at the hub. He knows everyone’s role. He is better places at this club to know what I want from everyone.

“Pogatetz is still the club captain. You look for different qualities. Someone who is good at organising around the place. But O’Neil is the man on the pitch. You ask who plays regularly, who has experience, who get injured. Who communicates with the manager and the players?“

Strachan has held talks with his players about lax “concentration levels“ and also upped the intensity of training, which has been described has more “harsh”.

But he accepts that the only way Boro will get promoted is by finding a regular goal scorers, and getting his whole team to chip in.

He added: “There are four points between us and third, but we need to go on a run. We need to get a system that gets us goal. A more rounded system. Goals from different positions. Adam has nine goals, we need them from more positions.

“We would like to see more goals. The striking unit can do more. Leroy Lita is working hard. There are lots of people in the strike unit and they have been thrown about. In pre season they had one combo. Then Jeremie Aliadiere and Marvin Emnes, neither whom are out and out strikers.

“The club has struggled to get a unit that means goals.”