Taundry backs Hutchings’ vision
Tuesday 27th April 2010, 11:20AM BST.
Walsall midfielder Richard Taundry has backed boss Chris Hutchings’ vision for the club and insisted recent results prove the boss is the right man for the job.
The Saddlers are on course to net its highest finish for six years after just one defeat in the last six League One games.
Prior to that, fans had hit out at Hutchings as they felt the team was underperforming but Taundry reckons the criticism was unfair and believes supporters must buy into the manager’s long term plan.
He said: “It surprised me a little bit, I’m not sure where that was coming from. He’s put quite a lot into my game personally and I’m sure a lot of the younger lads will say the same.
“As soon as he arrived at the club he told us he was here for the long term and aspiring to take the club higher.
“He has been great for us and long may it continue.”
The Saddlers moved to within two points of 10th spot with Saturday’s 3-1 win over Hartlepool and, should they finish higher than 12th, it will be their highest placing since relegation from the Championship in 2004.
Taundry believes their efforts cannot be underestimated in league which includes heavyweights Norwich, Leeds and Charlton.
He said: “I’m sure there’s a lot who appreciate it and there’s going to be quite a lot who don’t and just want to see the best all the time.
“But it will be massive for us to go above Milton Keynes Dons as they are a big team, it would be a massive bonus for us. I think it will show what effort we’ve put into the last few games.
“Earlier in the season there were some good performances but we weren’t quite getting the results. Then we weren’t putting in the performances we knew we were capable of.
“The last few games have been a big plus.”
With two games left – starting with Saturday’s trip to Carlisle – Taundry has one eye on next season and reckons the Saddlers will improve next term.
He added: “We want to be pushing for those play-off spot. Every club in the country knows they’ve got to sharpen up on a few things and that’s one thing the manager will be looking into.”
UK Sport
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Richard Taundry the criticism was total fare and in my book still stands.
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Yes the criticism was fair, the team needed to improve – they have in the last few games and I hope that continues. We must be aiming for the playoffs (whether that is realistic with a decreased budget again is debateable). I hate the idea that we are overachieving because we are mid table in League 1. If you consider the average position of the club over its entire life then that is our position so we must aim to better that.
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Sorry Richard but Leeds ,Norwich and charlton are the big team’s , Milton Keynes are a big team , every team next to us is a big team ! i’m also sorry that our record show’s we’ve something to shout about if we finish 10th ! puching above our weight again ,and all that ! i’m really sad i come on here and slate everything that anyone has to say good about the club …my club , but i’m just so desperately sick of us just being little old walsall that every other midland’s supporter want’s to do well , cause were… little old walsall !! walsall is , and has alway’s been “MY” team , but with more backing where it matter’s i.e ambition to pay the brilliant young talent we have had in our grasp’s , Fryatt, Bennett, Dann , Fox …etc etc But no , we would sooner sell and have the quick kill , rather than the bigger picture of promotion . What finally made my mind up to stop buying my season ticket was when Richard Money was interviewed and asked if he’d be staying , he replied with .. i’ll have a meeting with the board to see if their ambition matched his …. the next week he left !! that is why any young talent that is any good will be using walsall as a stepping stone , would’nt it be great if we had the pull to make them want to stay and be part of a successful club ! MY club will never grow with the constant sell,sell,sell ! our fan base will never grow when people can’t take our club’s ambition seriously , just ticking over , just a few coming through the gate’s to pay for the wage’s of the player’s no one want’s ,while the real money business of hotel’s, market’s,banquet’s,fight night’s,ground rent’s, and what ever else is going on behind the scene’s !!! KEEP OUR BEST PLAYER’S , MAKE US SUCCESSFUL ON THE PITCH , LET PEOPLE SEE WERE KEEPING PLAYER’S, AND ATTRACTING NEW BETTER PLAYER’S, AND YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED AND FIND WE COULD HAVE A LOT BIGGER GATE’S. UP THE SADDLER’S..MY SADDLER’S
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P.S how come all the player’s are saying we’ll be so much better next year ,as we hear every year , when we don’t even know who the hell’s going to be left here ?? maybe with the player’s really trying the last few games , could have something to do with contract’s ? maybe if they’ed all tried so hard all season , we may have made the play off’s !!! PUNCHING ABOVE OUR WEIGHT OR WHAT
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Spot on Nick
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On the whole CH is the man for the job in my opinion. We won’t get any better (all things considered) and his heart is in the right place. He is supported by a passionate coach (MOC) and has some talent in the squad.
His challenge for next season is to get CONSISTENCY in the playing style, CONSISTENCY in commitment and CONSISTENCY in fitness levels!
Not bothered about 10th place…..blood one or two the youngsters!
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