Vice-captain James O'Connor still eyes Walsall promotion
James O'Connor insists he still has his sights set firmly on promotion despite Walsall's 'up and down' start.
The Saddlers travel to take on Northampton on Saturday having won one, drawn two and lost two of their opening five games in League One.
Having missed out on a place in the Championship by a single point last year, O'Connor believes Walsall have become a scalp for their league rivals.
But he still expects the Saddlers to be part of the promotion shake up – especially now Jon Whitney's new-look team has had more time to gel.
"The first few weeks of the season have been up and down," O'Connor admitted. "There have been a lot of changes, it's not an excuse but such a big turnaround in personal is going to be difficult.
"Everyone knows because of last season the expectation level has gone up. All the other sides see us as a scalp but we have to embrace that. We now have to work even harder because we want to be competing at the top again."
O'Connor has been rewarded for his consistent performances by being named Saddlers vice-captain.
"It was a big honour to be given that role and I thank the gaffer for it," he said.
