Shaun Barker - The Man To Lead DCFC To Glory?
Thursday, 26th Jan 2012 15:33 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams returning Captain has begun to hit top form as he looks to lead his team to better things and now the Rams are within touching distance of the play offs and a cup run is on offer – is Shaun Barker the man to lead DCFC to glory?

Before Barker came along, for many years it seemed as if Miles Addison would grow into the role as his rapid rise made him an obvious candidate for a leadership position at the club. As it has turned out, Addison struggled to escape injury and grow into that role and now may never fulfil the promise he once displayed in a Rams shirt.

The Rams needed a leader and as Nigel put an old (blonde) head at the helm, when he signed Barker there was no doubt that this defender who commanded a sizeable fee – was always being groomed to take over wearing the arm band when the time came.

At his best he has often been compared to the great Roy McFarland and although it is unlikely that Shaun will ever be able to scale the great heights of McFarland, like the great man he has the ability to lead by example and show his team the level of commitment required to succeed.

Many people might believe that Barker would have regretted his decision to leave Blackpool who immediately found themselves in the top flight after his departure but if this was the case; he never let it show in either actions or words.

His form after arriving at DCFC was stunning and there was much excitement as fans and pundits were happy to make the McFarland comparison. Winning the Jack Stamps trophy and nearly single-handedly saving the Rams from relegation were signs the clubs million pound investment was worth every cent.

In his second campaign after an interrupted pre-season, the coaching staff had to nurse him through the matches and although we glimpsed what he was capable of, Barker did not again reach the bar he had set himself previously because of a severe knee complaint. The fact he rarely had a regular central partner all season along with the midfield regularly unfolding in front of him never helped his cause.

Despite not being able to show the form he arrived with this season, by playing through the pain barrier for much of the season he was always the obvious choice to be handed the captain's armband. He still managed 45 matches of a possible 48 and would not even contemplate going under the knife until Derby had achieved safety.

When he returned to action this season after a long lay off from surgery - Barker finally got his chance to step out from the long blonde shadow of Robbie Savage and lead the club into what we all hope will be a new dawn for DCFC.

When Nigel Clough announced Shaun as Captain the review he gave proved he had no doubts about a player he obviously has massive faith in to fill the role:

"When you appoint a captain one of the first things you look at is their leadership qualities, and he is absolutely brilliant in that respect. He has been a brilliant ambassador for the Club off the pitch as well."

"Shaun could be one of the great Derby County captains, in his own way."

"He leads by example on the pitch and when you see him straining every sinew to win a header, he can be a real inspiration to the team. The lads need to look up to their captain and respect him, and I think Shaun has that.”

"As a player if you look down the line before kick-off and see someone leading you out who you respect, it can give you a lift.”

"I had it in my playing days with Stuart Pearce and Ian Bowyer, both of whom were great leaders."

The fact that the Rams squad includes two former club Captain's in Craig Bryson and Jason Shackell, there was no shortage of back-up for the new skipper until he was fit. But now he has fully recovered from his knee operation, Shaun has recaptured the form he showed on arrival at Pride Park Stadium and has played a massive part in the team’s return to form as well as their upward movement on the league table.

The only part of his game yet to return is the goal-scoring ability that was instrumental in staving off relegation during the 09/10 season but seemingly abandoned him since his injury affected performances last campaign.

Although someone else wore the arm-band for the opening matches of the campaign, after Shaun returned to claim it, Derby fans have seen a hungry and determined player.

Barker’s frustration - while carrying an injury through last season was well documented - since returning he has been happily running through brick walls. After crossing the pain barrier so many times last season until the Rams were safe, the prospect of a fully fit Barker was always a mouth-watering prospect.

With a run of clean-sheets, growing positivity and a belief that DCFC might finally be heading in the right direction, the Shaun Barker era may also coincide with a new era of prosperity for the club on the pitch.

Patience will be important but over the next couple of weeks – one can be excused for getting excited.