Comment: Jonny Evans captaincy an encouraging sign
‘I’ve already had a few requests from the lads!’ joked Jonny Evans, as he flashed a grin towards Tony Pulis after being asked if was willing to speak up when his head coach was being out of order.
It was a confident response that suggests the 29-year-old is on familiar terms with Pulis but also willing to stand up to him in the dressing room on behalf of the players.
And that’s encouraging, because it is exactly what Pulis has challenged him to do.
"It will be up to him to come and tell me if I'm out of order or if he feels I should be doing something differently,” said the Welshman. “Our relationship will be very important."
Evans, for his part, is confident he is well equipped to do just that, and seamlessly take over the captain’s armband from Darren Fletcher, who left a huge hole in the dressing room when he moved to Stoke.
"It's the first time I've been captain of a club,” said Evans. “I think I’m well equipped for it. I'm sure I'll approach some things in maybe a different way to Darren.
"You're either that type of character or you're not and I think I've always had that sort of character, even as a young lad.”
Evans was the stand-out candidate to replace Fletcher. Over the past two years he has grown into Albion’s most important player on the pitch, a classy centre-back who dictates play from the back and plays as if he has all the time in the world on the ball.
His importance on the pitch has never been questioned in these parts, but now, it is his off-field presence that will be put to the test.
Just like Fletcher, he has the winning mentality that comes from being schooled under Alex Ferguson, and at the age of 29, he is maturing into an experienced campaigner.
At most clubs, captains are not as important as they used to be, but Pulis is unashamedly old-school, he likes his armband-wearers to be leaders. This is no token gesture.
Fortunately for Evans, there are plenty of experienced heads in the dressing room who will help out if needed.
Ben Foster, Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt, Claudio Yacob, and James Morrison are all Premier League veterans now, players with plenty of past experiences to draw upon.
In the likes of Jake Livermore, James McClean, and Craig Dawson, the Baggies have a determined younger crop coming through.
“It's the off-the-pitch things I'll have to take care of and the manager puts a big emphasis on that here," said Evans.
"But we've got quite a close-knit dressing room anyway and I think everyone gets along so I don't think I'll have too many issues to worry about.
"There's not always arguments going on. There's maybe one or two over the course of two years. But I'll be the spokesperson for the players and keeping them all in check, making sure they're in on time!"
The timing of the announcement seemed purposeful. It was a reminder to Leicester City a day before the two teams meet in the Premier League Asia Trophy that Evans, who they bid £10million for earlier this summer, is going nowhere this summer.
Pulis was ‘convinced’ Fletcher would stay too, and things can change quickly in football, but his insistence that Evans is staying, coupled with the Northern Irishman’s response to being made skipper, should be re-assuring to supporters.
“It’s a privilege for me,” said Evans. “Darren is a close friend of mine and hopefully I can follow in his footsteps and do things the right way.
"I'm sure we'll pass each other on the M6 at some point! But I think you have to be your own man. I’m really looking forward to it.”
So are we Jonny.
