'Writing his own story' - Mat Sadler plays down Evan Weir comparison to former Walsall defender
Evan Weir was riding the crest of a wave following his first career brace during Walsall's 4-2 win over Tranmere Rovers at Bescot on Saturday.
The Irishman opened the scoring with an excellent free-kick into the roof of the net inside the first nine minutes.
As if that wasn't impressive enough, Weir upstaged himself once more with a stunning half-volley into the bottom corner.
It was not just his technique, but the very fact that he started the move, which piqued the interest of his boss Mat Sadler.
"Having somebody who can unlock that is a big thing in the division," Sadler noted.
"There's lots of really tough games and when you've got that quality, you want to keep it, and having that with Evan is a real plus.
"Those free-kicks don't just happen. It's because he works hard at it and practices, although god has given him a pretty good left foot.
"But he's a wonderful technician in those situations."
Weir has stepped out of the shadow of Taylor Allen in style during the first two months of the season, scoring three times in League Two so far.
The 23-year-old looks technically adept whenever he distributes from deep and possesses the bravery and timing to venture forward into attack.
In total, Weir crossed the ball nine times and made 59 touches against Tranmere - more than any Walsall player in both metrics.
Not only that, but he completed the joint-most forward passes (10) along with Vincent Harper, who he continues to develop a strong understanding with on the left.
That propensity to turn defence into attack is what helped lift Allen to such heights last season, but Sadler insists that Weir is very much writing his own story amid comparisons to his predecessor.
"Evan is himself. He is here to put his own stamp down and not the kind to be compared," he added.
"Last year, Evan would've wanted to play more games but he understood the situation.
"He epitomises what you'd want every young footballer to be. An amazing professional, works hard at his game.
"We're very lucky that we've been able to say: 'Ok, on you go now'. In the same way that we were able to do that with Taylor when it was his time.
"Evan was never a moment's trouble. That's why with people like him, you're happy when they get their moment."
Weir showcased his quality in glimpses during his limited playing time last season, but has gone from strength to strength since succeeding Allen in the summer.
He has started seven of the Saddlers' nine games in League Two so far this season and Sadler feels Weir is developing into a real leader.
"I'm really pleased that he is starting to get a rhythm to his game, which is probably something he would've said last season," he admitted.
"Maybe he could've had a bit more rhythm, maybe he could've had a bit more consistent game time, but he's doing really well.
"It's a pleasure to see him become a leader in his own right. He's a fantastic distributor of the ball but he's also defensively very sound.
"You can the upbringing he has had just in terms of the way he plays. He's tough as old boots and I love working with him."
