If there are any positives worth taking from Saturday’s shambles, one of them might be Richard Money’s post-match admission that some of our most promising youngsters could be asked to swim in the deep end sooner rather than later, writes Walsall blogger Ben Lowe.
We were absolutely pathetic against the Latics, possibly the worst home display witnessed under the reign of Money, and big decisions must be made if we are to stop the rot.
After last season’s heroics I am embarrassed by our start. We deserve to be bottom of the league and above us I see 23 stronger teams.
I feared in the summer we would struggle but nothing like the way we have so far.
While our seniors have become accustomed to defeat in recent weeks, our young reserves have continued to impress with results to justify their performances.
Perhaps a few first-team players are guilty of falling into a comfort zone, falsely believing they have no serious competition for their place.
I take heart from how a youthful Wolves side performed last term, working hard for each other and upsetting the odds because they had something to prove.
There are many examples of this over the years and we could be the next success story.
Troy Deeney, David McDermott, Alex Nicholls, Mark Bradley and Manny Smith are waiting in the wings, ready to grasp the opportunity they have been so patient for.
It would be a baptism of fire to throw them in but we have little to lose and everything to gain at the moment.
Walsall fans, what go you think? Leave your comments below the story.
9 Comments
Bring um on and ship the old uns out
We were always going to struggle with the quality of signings we made in the summer: Paul Hall and Danny Sonner were rubbish the first time around and now they are both nearly 40! You can tell the extent of a club’s (lack of in Walsall’s case) ambition by its summer signings. We need two, quality experienced players: one in central midfield and a pacey striker. I don’t believe that the kids are ready yet.
I agree, I think Money’s initial instinct with the young lads is correct, we’ve got a good youthful reserve team at the moment and to ask them to play under the presure of Bescot with our current form could end in their progress being set back a good few years.
We need an experienced head in midfield forget the pacey striker for now, our backs are against the wall and could be, on our current form for some time.
Dickie needs to go back to his Liverpool roots, which is to build an effective spine, then triangles on left & right - balance with some experience, and youth with pace……..and most of all play players in their correct positions and who are motivated when they put the shirt on. We lost 5 key players from last year (half a team) and we haven’t replaced them yet - money as always is limited so its time to play the following team: Ince, Bradley, Sentara, Dann, Ropes; Sonko, Wracky, Dobbs, Ishey, Denney & Buts……..if your good enough you are old enough! - Hallsy
“…we’ve got a good youthful reserve team at the moment and to ask them to play under the pressure of Bescot with our current form could end in their progress being set back a good few years.”
They should be full of confidence when you consider how well the reserves have been playing. I believe the risk is worth taking.
anythings better than what we have now
has Money lost it, how can you play a young lad with a goal scoring record in midfield ie Troy Deeney, this smacks of panic, where is Alan Picken what a waste of money, 1 match in over 12 months and the Manager said he would be playing this season, but now not a mention of him.A sad fan who expected better this season.
It’s no good saying forget the pacey striker, you can have the best midfielder in the division but if it takes the two striers 3 weeks to run the 100m it’s worth nothing!
Stick with Ishy.He has pace and
can turn defenders inside out.
Ok he’s hot headed but I’d like to see DD give him 5 STARTS and see
how he shapes up.