Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Will Grigg told to impress for Walsall
Thursday 9th December 2010, 11:29AM GMT.
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings today urged hot-shot Will Grigg to cash in on his shock starring role.
The frontman is set to lead the line at League One big boys Charlton on Sunday with Reuben Reid and Jon Macken still out injured.
The Saddlers go to the second-placed Addicks rock bottom and the division’s lowest scorers with just 17 goals.
Grigg impressed in his first senior start in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Torquay two weeks ago and scored on his Northern Ireland Under-21 debut in the 4-0 win over San Marino in September.
And Hutchings believes the 19-year-old has what it takes to make his mark against the former Premier League outfit.
“He deserved a chance and if you’re good enough you’ll get the chance – if the opportunities arise you have to take them,” he said.
“Will is working hard on his game, he has other experienced players ahead of him but he’s had a taste of a few games and he’s done himself no harm at all.
“He’s on the international scene which, at times, hampers him because he could have the opportunity here and is called away so can’t start in the first team.
“It’s a little frustrating for him but it’s great recognition for him and the club.”
And Hutchings insisted Grigg’s promotion to the starting XI, after Darryl Westlake’s elevation last season, proves the Saddlers will give youth a chance.
“It’s a good advert for all for the young lads, Jamie Paterson has been on the bench and got on stages at this season,” he said.
“Last season Darryl grabbed it with both hands and played more games than what he thought, but he justified that with his performances.”
Macken (calf) and Reid (hamstring) are likely to be out against the promotion-chasing Addicks with the Saddlers struggling for firepower after loanee Liam Dickinson returned to Barnsley.
Skipper Darren Byfield is a long-term absentee and has been sidelined for three months with a persistent knee problem.
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Personally, i think Grigg should have been given more game time already by now.
If nothing else, Grigg’s presence in the squad made the signing of Dickinson a completely unecessary one.
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hutchings out
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how can a young lad be expected to score when we can’t provide service to seasoned strikers with better positional awareness?
and as for yesterday’s story about playing well and losing, when exactly have we played well? maybe 1 percent of total playing time all season?
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Hasn’t he played more games for NI than Walsall?
Is or this just me being silly?
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“Last season Darryl grabbed it with both hands and played more games than what he thought”
More games than “what he thought”? Really?
Please don’t give up correcting Mr Hutchings’ english just because you can’t understand why he’s still in a job.
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Quality comments from a quality manager
Is it that Will Grigg to grab his chance, play well for Hutchins and then to be told he is no good, as we are bringing in some more loan forwards.
Then when that does not work, tells Grigg to grab his chance again
Your time is up Hutch, give us a break and resign
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” if your good enough you’ll get your chance ” Obviously Chris you haven’t thought he was good enough being you haven’t played him , and you’ve brought in loaners and played anyone OTHER than him , that is until you have no other option’s! DESPERATE again Chris .
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“He’s on the international scene which, at times, hampers him because he could have the opportunity here and is called away so can’t start in the first team.”
What a load of old tosh! Honestly this man shows himself to be more and more stupid every time he opens his mouth.
So let me get this right, if Grigg wasn’t playing for NI we would be starting fo Walsall.
So he’s playing for NI eery week is he? So he comes back from playing NI and you immediately rushed him into the starting XI?
Strange that when in the same article it refers to his first start for Walsall at Tourquay.
Chris if you can’t say anything that makes sense I suggest you just shut up, specially as no-one is listening to you anymore.
On that basis I don’t expect to hear from you again.
Quite how the board members are happy to watch this idiot flush their investment down the drain is quite beyond me!
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Steve, the board members aren’t happy about this, far from it. There is only one who is determined to stick with “the best manage he has ever employed”. Guess which board member that is? Our anger should be directed in that direction (which way is Cyprus?).
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