Danny Batth growing into Wolves captaincy
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett today declared the captaincy has made defender Danny Batth a better player.
Batth goes into tomorrow's trip to Blackpool as the only player to have been used by the head coach in every league game in since Jackett was appointed in June 2013.
Club skipper Sam Ricketts has been on the bench after losing his place at right-back to Matt Doherty, leaving Batth leading the team in his first full season in the Championship.
But the head coach believes having the armband has enhanced Batth's performances.
"Every game we've played this season he's been our captain and that's a big responsibility to go into a new division and do that," said Jackett.
"And he's risen to that side of it very well because Sam has a very wide range of experience through to the Premier League and 50 international caps, so there's a lot he can put to good use for us.
"But for Danny going into a new division, it's a big challenge for him, and so far, he's risen to it well. His next challenge is to make sure he maintains those standards right the way through the season, as it is with all us."
Batth conceded a penalty against the Championship's hottest property in Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes in his last outing when Wolves beat Rovers 3-1.
But Jackett believes Batth won't come across a tougher test than Rhodes and is confident the Brierley Hill-based skipper can continue his progression.
"That's his aim and objective to do that, like all of us," said the boss. "Now going up a level, he wants to re-prove himself.
"I don't think he'll play against many better than Jordan Rhodes. He'll be pleased with his start, but it's only five games in and he'd be now very hungry to rise to the challenge of replicating that all the way through the season."
Batth was linked with Villa this summer but Jackett is just focusing on the academy graduate doing his best for Wolves.
"Publicity can sometimes generate that and sometimes you wonder where it comes from because it's opinions," he said.
"But that's the game and we're not thinking about what other clubs think of him.
"I understand what people say about young English centre-backs, but we're not really looking to promote him outside."
