Mat Sadler sees Aaron Loupalo-Bi potential despite "tough" start to Walsall loan
Mat Sadler admits Aaron Loupalo-Bi arrived at a "tough time" to hit the ground running at Walsall, but can see the potential in the young attacker.
The 20-year-old, who arrived on loan from Fulham under-21s in January, is yet to find the net in any of his seven cameos from the bench for Walsall.
Game time has been limited during his first two months at Walsall, although Sadler is still optimistic he can end his loan on a high.
"I'd say he probably came in at a tough time for him. Ideally, you come in and get piece into the action bit by bit," boss Sadler said.
"What I will say is that there is certainly a player in Aaron. He has got good athleticism, pace and strength.
"He's had a few opportunities to break his duck so far. There was one at the end at Chesterfield and another at home against Barnet.
"So he has had a couple of good opportunities. As we all know with strikers, all it takes it one of those moments for him to get lift-off.
"Fingers crossed, we see that happen soon. When it does, that momentum will shift and I think you'll see another player."
In total, Loupalo-Bi has played just 125 minutes for the Saddlers in League Two but Sadler feels the experience will serve him well in the future.
"That's why this will be such a key experience. I'm sure before the end of the loan, he'll have played more," he added.
"But this is a new experience for him and the January loans are always tough because you don't get six weeks to bed down.
"You don't get that luxury and you don't get to play two 90 minutes before the end of pre-season.
"It doesn't work like that with the midseason loans but I can see a lot of strengths and you can see he has a good career ahead of him."
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