Walsall boss close to naming new captain
Walsall manager Dean Smith today revealed he has almost decided on his new captain – but is happy to keep moving the armband around in pre-season.
For only the second time in his managerial career, the Saddlers boss must choose an on-field general following the departure of Andy Butler earlier this summer.
Smith has almost decided , but will not reveal Butler's successor until nearer the start of the League One campaign. He will continue to keep the armband moving in pre-season to see how different players handle the responsibility.
Defenders James Chambers and Paul Downing and goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell are among the players to have shared captaincy duties in warm-up games so far.
"I pretty much have an idea in my head (who the new captain will be) but I'm happy tossing the armband around at the moment just to see how some of the players handle responsibility," said Smith.
"James Chambers had it for the first half at Taunton last week and Paul Downing had it for the second.
"I'll just have a look at a few people and just see how they take on board the armband because we have a number of players who I feel are capable of being captain of this football club."
Smith clearly feels that, whatever his decision, he has more than one leader on the pitch and is giving few clues as to who might be the permanent skipper. When naming possible candidates, he listed over half the team.
"We have some experienced players in James Chambers, Andy Taylor, Adam Chambers and some young up and coming players who have been permanent fixtures in the team like Sam Mantom and Paul Downing – not forgetting (goalkeeper) Richard O'Donnell as well," he said.
"There are a number of players I can turn to, I have pretty much got in my head who it is going to be but I want to see how they handle the responsibility. I will make it public just before the season starts."
