Dean Smith relying on Walsall's youth
Dean Smith today backed his young stars to step up and fill any leadership vacuum created by Andy Butler's Walsall exit.
Captain Butler, who last week turned down the offer of a new deal with the Saddlers, was considered a hugely influential figure both on and off the pitch.
But Smith believes defender Paul Downing and midfielder Sam Mantom have already shown qualities to suggest they can step into the departed skipper's boots.
Despite their young age, both are just 22, they are already closing in on nearly 100 appearances for the club and manager Smith said: "I think Paul and Sam have already become leaders.
"I think naturally, with the amount of games they have played, that has been the case.
"They have been ever-presents over the last year or two and the other players around them now look to them as leaders. They have developed leadership qualities, certainly."
Both players are viewed as key components in the spine of the Saddlers starting line-up and while Smith will leave it until pre-season before naming Butler's successor as skipper, they are likely to be in his thoughts.
Downing formed a strong partnership with Butler in central defence but though almost all of his 80-plus appearances came alongside the now departed captain, Smith is confident his game will not be affected.
"When we played against Peterborough last season Andy was suspended and both Paul and James Chambers were outstanding," said Smith.
"Paul is a clever player and they complimented each other really well, because Andy would go up and head it and Paul just reads the game so well.
"He understands when he needs to go and head it and when he needs to step off. He is very confident on the ball."
Smith is likely to add new faces to the defence this summer but believes he already has excellent cover in central defence in the shape of Dean Holden, who has signed up for another season as player-coach, and Ben Purkiss, who put pen to paper on a new one-year contract yesterday.
"Dean didn't feature and he has had injuries but he was fit enough to play if called on," added Smith. "The partnership between Paul and Andy was excellent and he wasn't needed but I know I can rely on him."
