Skipper savouring the rest despite good form…
SADDLERS skipper, Adam Chambers has mixed emotions about this weekend.International call-ups has seen our League One fixture with near neighbours, Shrewsbury Town postponed, gifting Dean Smith’s men a free week to recover from our blistering start to the season.
Perched at the summit of the division, Chambers has been a mainstay of the side, featuring in all 21 fixtures across both league and cup. Yet the combative 34-year old insists the chance for a hard-earned rest is matched by his desire to maintain our impressive run of results.
“We’ve had a lot of games so far this year but we’re in good form so there’s an argument to say we want to keep playing,” explained Chambers. “But it’s nice to be able to take a break during the season so I should thank the gaffer for giving us a couple of days off really.
“When you’re on a good run like we are, you want to keep going but it’s something we can’t control.
“We’ve got to make the best of the situation and we’ll use it to get a bit of rest in.
“There’s a few lads with a couple of knocks and niggles so it’s a good chance for those players to recover and get ready in time for the next game.”
Now in his fifth season at the club, Chambers has overseen the emergence of a crop of talented youngsters whose impact is now being made on the senior squad.
Rico Henry is the latest to break into the first team reckoning. His all action displays have been rewarded with a call up to the England’s u19 squad this week and the skipper believes it’s just the start for the highly rated teenager.
“He’s a very talented young lad and he’s got the ability to really go far in the game,” he added. “I think he went there for a training session and they’ve seen the ability straight away and he’s ended up making the trip to Holland.
“Bradders [Tom Bradshaw] is another one. He’s done really well since he joined the club and has scored a lot of goals for us.
“He’s a very good player but a team player as well, he works very hard for the side.
“He’s a good lad off the field so everyone is really pleased for him. Hopefully he’ll enjoy it and get some game time for Wales as well.”
Romaine Sawyers and Neil Etheridge complete a quartet of Saddlers players to link up with their fellow countrymen this weekend, representing St.Kitts and Nevis and the Philippines respectively.