Skipper feeling upbeat...
THE PLAYERS have been back in pre-season for just over a week now and skipper, Adam Chambers, is in the swing of things again.“There are parts of pre-season training you enjoy and parts you don’t,” he admitted. “There’s a lot of running and fitness involved and it’s a case of trying your best to enjoy it, but it can be tough at times.
“The programme that we are given to follow by Jon Whitney each summer is tailored to the individual players’ needs so generally we all come back quite fit and that gives us a good base on which to build.
“Our aims for the season ahead are similar to previous years. We know that there is a lot of talent in the squad, it’s just consistency that we’ve lacked.
“We have to be eyeing a place in the top six; the Gaffer is working hard to address the areas in which we were lacking last season and as a group we are all looking forward to what the season holds in store.”
Like the rest of the team, Chambers is delighted to see fellow midfielder, Sam Mantom, back to full fitness and looking sharp.
“Sam brings a lot to the team, there is no question about that,” he added. “For a young lad, he knows the game so well and possesses a fantastic array of passing.
“He commands plenty of respect within the squad and is a leader. We certainly missed his presence in the team for much of last season, so it’s great to see him looking sharp in training.”
34 year-old Chambers, who has appeared just over 180 times for The Saddlers since his arrival in the summer of 2011, recently penned a new one-year deal and is feeling as fit as ever as he looks forward to what the 2015/16 campaign holds in store.
“I look after myself and am just as dedicated to doing the best I can as I have ever been. I feel as fit as I’ve ever been and as long as I can contribute to the team, I want to carry on playing.
“Everyone knows how much I enjoy it here, but I think that it is important to keep learning. You’re never too old to learn and I am always looking to better myself.”