Dean Smith hails Neil Woods impact

Walsall manager Dean Smith today hailed the impact of Neil Woods after the head of youth inspired his kids to seven straight wins.

The Saddlers youth team have exploded this term – scoring 21 goals in their opening seven games and conceding just five.

Former Grimsby boss Woods arrived in the summer to make an immediate mark – effectively replacing Smith after he left the job to take over the first team in January.

And Smith believes Woods' influence has been key in the youth team's stunning early-season form.

The Saddlers boss said: "We had a lot of candidates looking for the job and we interviewed six or seven and Neil was the outstanding one and he's proving that at the moment."