Express & Star

Jon Whitney: Impressive youngsters give Walsall bright future

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Boss Jon Whitney believes Walsall's future is bright thanks to their talented youngsters.

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The Saddlers manager has been keen to give his next generation of stars some valuable playing time this summer.

Teenagers such as Kory Roberts, Will Shorrock, Cameron Peters and Callum Cockerill-Mollett have all featured in pre-season friendlies against Solihull Moors and Birmingham.

And Whitney believes that taste of the first-team will prove a valuable learning curve.

"I want to start blooding these youngsters," he said.

"Sam Tonks, Cameron Peters, Callum Cockerill-Mollett, Kory Roberts. I want to get them used to playing for us.

"Against Birmingham, Kory Roberts got stuck in to Clayton Donaldson and that will make him proud.

"He came off with the pitch with his chest stuck out.

"It's that confidence and self-esteem that you can build into youngsters and it means they will be ready if called upon.

"I was really impressed. Callum, the left-back, I think he did really well.

"They have all been around the training ground which is great. Neil Woods (youth coach) is great to let them come up to me.

"It maybe weakens his team, but at the end of the day it's all about getting players for the first team."

As well as Walsall's coaching staff, Whitney believes Saddlers supporters have a key role to play in the development of youngsters.

"It's a team effort and the fans have a major part to play," he continued.

"Whether you come to every game or two games – you can still support from afar.

"You need to be patient and you need to give these kids some time.

"You need to encourage – even when your gut feeling is to have a go at them and be negative.

"I understand that will happen but just try and hold back because you never know how far that player is to finding that consistency.

"It can happen very quickly and, all of a sudden, they believe they belong in League One – that they belong at the Banks's Stadium.

"We've got some very good youngsters coming through so let's see where the process takes us over the next coming weeks, months and years."