ANDREW Surman urged Cherries to have 11 leaders on the pitch rather than one with the captain’s armband.

The 32-year-old midfielder, club captain Simon Francis and Steve Cook have skippered Cherries in the Premier League this season.

But Surman insisted it did not fall to just one player to provide leadership.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am so proud every time I wear the armband but it doesn’t really matter who wears it. We need leaders out there.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re 21 or 31, everyone has to lead. I try to lead by example. I try to do the right things and be someone to look up to.

“I feel I’m more of a calming influence. I think I’m a calm person and a calm player. If something has to be said, I will say it but I try to be an example to follow in my performance.

“There are different ways of leading, some will lose their head and shout a lot but sometimes that’s not always the way.”

Surman captained Cherries on his 200th appearance for the club during last month’s 2-2 draw with Everton.