'Party's over' warning to new Walsall pros

Dean Smith today warned Walsall's new professionals they must change their attitude if they are to succeed.

Alex Hickman, Jamie Paterson and George Bowerman were handed one-year deals at the Banks's Stadium after impressing during their scholarship.

And head of youth Smith, who oversaw their development, believes the trio must be mentally strong to make the first team breakthrough.

He said: "I've told them, 'don't hang around with your old mates from last season. You're professionals now. You've earned the right to be in those ranks, go and join in with the professionals and be one'. Their job now is to impress the manager to get in the squad. Changing their lifestyle has been part of their two-year course here.

"They might have to ditch a few friends who want to go on a night out."