Hutchings and O'Connor on familiar ground at Walsall
It was a return to familiar territory for Walsall’s new management pairing of Chris Hutchings and Martin O’Connor.
Hutchings, who played 40 times for the Saddlers as captain in the 1990-91 season, was unveiled as Jimmy Mullen’s successor and O’Connor, who played over 200 games for Walsall in three spells, will prove a popular appointment as Hutchings’ assistant. Both have signed 18-month contracts.
Hutchings, aged 51, has managed in the Premier League at Bradford City and Wigan and more recently briefly at Derby County after the departure of Paul Jewell, who he has followed as an assistant for most of his coaching career.
Now Hutchings has taken up the challenge at the Banks’s Stadium and has already set his sights high – reaching the League One play-offs.
“We have to set our targets and we certainly want to get up the table and I don’t see any reason why you can’t get into the play-offs with the players we have here,” he said. “It is going to be tough but it is a challenge we are looking forward to. It is achievable and we will be telling them that. All jobs are difficult and this is a challenge but we will relish that. We have good players here, some experienced players, and when they are all fit we expect to be pushing up the table. We know it is going to be tough.”
Hutchings said he may seek to bring in players before the transfer window closes but would give the existing squad every opportunity to impress.
“We have one or two injuries, so we have to assess the squad very, very quickly,” he added. “We might have the opportunity to bring one or two in but it is important for the current players to show what they can do. We will give them that opportunity.
“If the players perform then all well and good and we might not have to look any further, but you are always on the look out and we will have to wait and see.”
Bonser, who sacked Mullen 11 days ago after a run of poor results, said Hutchings had been ‘a breath of fresh air’.
“The club needed a change, as all clubs do from time to time,” Bonser said. “The board felt it was right to make that change.
“Now we have Chris and Martin to take the team forward, which I am very excited about.
“To bring two former captains back to the club, who have a feeling for the club, is a great coup for Walsall FC.
“I want to take this club back into the Championship, whether that is this season, next season or the season after, and I think Chris is the man to take us forward. He has the right ambition to do that.
“He is a breath of fresh air for the club.”
