Smallwood ready to set example as Bradford City captain

Smallwood will wear the armband against Doncaster at Valley Parade this weekend after being confirmed in the captain’s role.

Mark Hughes admitted the midfielder was the obvious choice having led Hull in the Championship last season.

Hughes said: “Throughout his career he’s always taken on the leadership role at his clubs and I’ve seen that in evidence in his short time here already.

“He naturally gravitates to that role and it was quite an easy decision.

“You’ve got to have a voice. Sometimes players within a group are a little bit reticent to speak up but that’s not an issue for Richie.

“That input is important. Clearly, I’ve got my own ideas but I’m always open to suggestions that can help the group as a whole.

“There are different types of leadership. You can lead by shouting and bawling or you can lead by example. I think Richie has got the balance well.”

Smallwood’s appointment was widely anticipated since his arrival from the Tigers and he has captained City during the pre-season games.

“Hopefully I can lead this great club up a division and then up again but we’ll start on Saturday and go from there,” said the 31-year-old.

“I think it’s about leading by example on and off the pitch. You don’t necessarily have to shout and bawl but be constructive and try to nurture the talent in the other players.

“I try to show the professionalism, hard work and dedication around the place that it takes to have a good career and good living.

“Hopefully that’s what I can do and if the lads follow that, we can be successful.”

Hughes wanted his summer recruitment to bring more of a voice to his team and Smallwood can see other leaders in the ranks.

He added: “You saw that in the games like Sunderland, where we were more organised and there was a lot of noise right through the centre of the pitch.

“I think in any successful team it's important that the spine is dominant and vocal and that’s what we’ve brought in.

“I don’t see just myself as a leader but other lads they’ve brought in and that can only be a benefit.

“They’ve shown me in training that they can be themselves but also have a grounding and understanding to work hard first and foremost.

“Hopefully if we can do that there’ll be no arguments or cross words because they are all trying their hardest.”

Richie Smallwood in a training game with Jamie Walker, the first of the summer recruits

City have been one of the busiest League Two teams in the summer window but got most of that recruitment done early – which Smallwood views as a big advantage.

“We feel like we’ve been together for three months instead of six weeks,” he added. “But it can only benefit the team.

“It’s the ideal scenario. The Man United manager recently said he’d love to have everyone available in the pre-season squad but that’s not really practical.

“But Bradford have basically done that and it can only pay dividends. The more time you spend together when you are new signings is better.

“When I went in at Hull, there were some signings that really stood out and the club brought in the right characters they felt were needed.

“It’s very similar to what the head of recruitment Stephen Gent and Ryan Sparks have done here.

“I can see what they are trying to do and believe they’ve done a really good job. It’s about us now proving it on the pitch and backing that up.”

A bumper Valley Parade audience is itching to see the summer’s hard work come to fruition on opening day – and Smallwood cannot wait to get started.

“I’ve really enjoyed it right from the off. We’ve worked on patterns in training and drilled it and drilled it and hopefully that shows in the game.

“The squad is looking really strong and now it’s down to us to go and do it on the pitch.

“I’m hearing there are going to be 18,000, which is unbelievable. I’ve played in front of big crowds before and this is another one that I will be looking forward to on a weekly basis.

“It’s a massive game for the club and we want to get off on the right foot and set a marker. We’ve got to be on it right from the first whistle and I’m sure we will be.”