Walsall wait for new captain pick

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has admitted he has already chosen his new captain - but will keep his players guessing until the new season.

Richard Taundry captained the Saddlers last night, as they lost 4-0 to an impressive Wolves side at the Banks's Stadium.

The midfielder won plaudits for his display with the armband and won the sponsors' Man of the Match.

But boss Hutchings played down Taundry's role and already knows who he wants as the new skipper.

He said: "I know in my own mind but will be having a look at one or two others.

"Everyone is different. Some are vocal and some aren't, some are captains but not vocal but they do a job and people aspire to them, you don't have to be a ranter and a baller.

"Richard is a team player and wears his heart on his sleeve, but he might not be the captain on Saturday against Coventry, because he might not play as we might rotate it."

Hutchings was ready to hold open auditions to pick the Saddlers' new skipper, after the four players who captained the side last season left the club.

Mark Hughes, Dwayne Mattis, Jamie Vincent and Rhys Weston left the Saddlers with a leadership poser, but Hutchings admitted he was impressed with Taundry's efforts against Wolves.

The manager said: "He worked extremely hard, we knew he would. It was a typical Taundry performance where he gave everything for the team.

"You forget he's still young."