Richard Taundry hails Walsall boss

Richard Taundry has ranked Dean Smith as the best Walsall manager he has ever had and insisted the Saddlers are lucky to have him.

The 22-year-old reckons the Banks's Stadium chief is one of the best around and his handling of the club and players is second-to-none.

Smith inspired the Saddlers to the Great Escape last term as they beat the League One drop by a point – despite being eight points from the safety line at New Year.

Taundry has played under Chris Hutchings, Jimmy Mullen and Richard Money – who won the League Two title in 2007 – but insisted Smith beats them all.

He said: "What he did from Christmas was unbelievable, it was a big achievement so it just shows he's capable of doing the job.

"Around the club he's talking to each player and there are no favourites. There's a good feeling around the club when you know you can go into the office and have a five-minute chat here and there.

"I've had a few managers and, with man management, he's the best. He keeps on top of his players and knows what we're doing. Personally he's been brilliant with me so I've got no problems.

"The main aim was to stay in the league and our chairman, Jeff Bonser, has given the gaffer the opportunity to start afresh next year and everyone's excited to see what's going to go on."