Smith cautious on youngsters
Head of youth Dean Smith today refused to pile the pressure on his young Walsall stars after their scintillating start to the season.
The Saddlers' kids have lost just one of their opening eight matches in league and cup just three months after Smith's arrival.
He replaced Mick Halsall in July and takes them to Burton Albion tonight for the first round of the Midland Youth Cup.
But he is reserving his praise despite their excellent form.
"They are a very capable set of lads who have done well but they have to perform consistently," said Smith. "It's not about winning leagues and cups at this level, it's about helping them develop. I'm very wary about judging people too soon. I have seen people come through late because there is always a surprise package.
"Some players mature later than others because they've got to do some massive physical development. You can get one injury or a loss of confidence and they are a different player."
Strikers George Bowerman and Jamie Paterson have each scored six goals and earned call-ups to Martin O'Connor's reserve side to become the pick of the youth squad.
But Smith says they must continue to perform if they are to maintain their progress.
He said: "They have both done very well and scored goals at youth team level. Martin called them up to the reserves and they did OK. But it's not about just scoring goals, they know they have develop and it's a massive learning curve for them.
"They'll get the plaudits because they score the goals but Dan Partridge and Alex Hickman have also done very well."
Smith came through the Saddlers ranks to make 165 appearances before a switch to Hereford in 1994.
He knows the pressure his charges face but says the principles are the same from when he was a trainee. He said: "I don't think there are too many new ideas. Football has been around for a long time and it's a simple game.
"I tell them all top players make mistakes but they are top players because they learn the fastest.
"We've had honest one-on-one talks where I have told them my own opinions and they have done the same. Everything is always under constant review."
But progress tonight is the immediate aim for Smith and he says it will be an eye opener for his kids.
"We're at Burton and it'll be the first time we've played under floodlights in a first-team ground so it will be a good experience," he said.
