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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Ricardo Santos pinpoints biggest Bolton Wanderers captaincy learning curve

Ricardo Santos has found that people look to him more than he expected since becoming Bolton Wanderers captain but he believes it is an honour to wear the armband for the League One club.

Santos became club captain last October in the wake of former skipper Antoni Sarcevic's sudden departure to Stockport County. More than a year has now passed since then and the defender being handed the armband by Ian Evatt.

The defender has committed his long-term future to Bolton, signing a new three-year deal over the summer. He is a part of a dressing room and club targeting promotion this season.

READ MORE: Message instilled into Bolton Wanderers players revealed which is helping inspire play-off ambition

Santos has found people looking to him more, which is greater than what he expected in the role. Though expected to set an example in the dressing room, the Portuguese says he is the same bubbly person as he was before and is still learning the captaincy role.

He said: “The biggest thing I’ve learnt is I think people look at me more, more than I expected. Around the building I’ve got to set an example and I’ve just got to support everyone.

“But I’m the same person, I’m a bubbly guy in the changing room, I wouldn’t try to be controlling or anything like that. Maybe if something is going wrong I could help a bit more, I would say, but I’m still learning. It’s still new to me. There’s still a lot to improve on but I’m enjoying my time being the captain and I’m just honoured.

“Before I was still one of the main guys in the dressing room, not because of football, but because of my personality. I just try to be supportive to everyone and I just try to make it enjoyable for everyone. Even players that are not playing, I try and have a little joke with them and talk to them after training, because it’s hard when you’re not getting a lot of game time. I just try to help everyone really.”

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