Dean Smith: Walsall's boys are now men

Walsall's philosophy of developing young players has been key to their early success this season, manager Dean Smith believes.

The Saddlers top League One having won four of their five league fixtures.

Smith's men endured a blip on Tuesday night when a 2-0 defeat at Morecambe saw them exit the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

But the Walsall boss firmly expects his side to bounce back when recently-promoted Bury visit the Banks's Stadium on Saturday.

Smith said: "Four years ago we started a philosophy where we wanted to bring players through.

"With the performances of Rico Henry, Reece Flanagan, Matt Preston and Liam Kinsella you can see we are really doing that.

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"These players are coming through the system and, with the young players we have developed after picking them up from other clubs, it shows this is a thriving place to be.

"The pleasing thing is that it means I've now got a squad of young players who are all fighting to get into the team."

"We had a small blip because we went out of a cup, but I can see the desire in the lads to get back out there winning football matches."

It's the maturity of his younger players that is continuing to impress Smith, him saying: "We now have a squad with genuine options.

"But what I really like is that it's a squad who have matured together. I was speaking to Adam Chambers about this.

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"He is our captain and one of our elder statesman, but he has talked about how mature the players now are. He has seen them blossom and turn from young men into very good footballers.

"There have been lots of really good performances and now we are top of the league there is a new challenge, because we are there to be shot at.

"But that is no problem for us, because I can see the players want to get better and want to remain there."

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