Dean Smith coy on Walsall's top job
Walsall caretaker boss Dean Smith today remained tight-lipped over whether he wants the top job.
Walsall caretaker boss Dean Smith today remained tight-lipped over whether he wants the top job.
The Saddlers' head of youth is in temporary charge after the club sacked manager Chris Hutchings, assistant Martin O'Connor and chief scout David Hamilton on Tuesday.
Smith has spoken to the players ahead of Saturday's crucial trip to Tranmere and has taken training during an unsettling week.
Chris Turner, Bobby Davison and Neil McDonald have all been linked to the job at the rock-bottom Saddlers but Smith is focused on beating relegation rivals Rovers - who are eight ponts clear of Walsall in League One.
He said: "Until I've played some games I won't know what I'm feeling. I want to go and win football games then see where it takes us.
"I've got a buzz from it, I must admit. The youth side of it is all about development and bringing players through but this is the cut and thrust of it.
"You get the buzz of the results, having to name a team and getting players ready for a game.
"I feel I'm quite experienced, I've got my coaching badges and I've worked with a lot of different managers and taken and bits and pieces from it.
"I've been involved in promotion and relegation fights so I will take all those experiences and put them into place to help us get out of this.
"Taking over the caretaker role, the world seems to turn a little bit quicker than it did a couple of days ago and the phone is a bit busier."
But Smith, a former Walsall captain, did reveal his disappointment his former colleagues had been sacked after working closely with them since returning to the club in 2009.
He said: "I've been in football long enough not to be surprised by anything but the first thing I felt was disappointment for Chris, Martin and David because they brought me to the club.
"But it is what it is and things change very quickly.
"The most important thing now is to get results for the football club to keep us in this league."
However, club captain Darren Byfield is confident Smith would take the rolem should he impress and chairman Jeff Bonser offer it to him.
The striker said: "I'm guessing he'd want it full-time – actually I know he'd want it full-time.
"Everyone from the youngsters to the senior players like him."
