Youth policy bearing fruit, says Walsall boss Dean Smith

The Saddlers have enjoyed a fine start to the 2015/16 campaign and could potentially return to the top of the League One table today if they beat managerless Doncaster and results elsewhere go in their favour.

That success has been built on players coming through the club's youth ranks or by picking up promising youngsters who have fallen out of favour elsewhere.

And Smith believes the club is now being rewarded for the patience it has shown.

"I have always said that we as a club don't judge players too early," Smith said. "Now we are seeing the benefit of that. I have seen it too many times. Some clubs look at players who are 19, 20 or 21-years old and they tell them they're not good enough.

"But there must have been something there if you've kept them that long.

"They just need a chance to mature sometimes. I remember a couple of years ago Will Grigg was getting a bit of stick but we stuck with him and he went and scored 20 goals.

"Tom Bradshaw wasn't really flavour of the month when he was at Shrewsbury but he has come here and worked hard and he's getting his rewards.

"Reece Flanagan is another. Last season he wasn't probably quite ready but this season he looks a shoo-in at the moment and he's been consistent in his performances."

Smith also feels bringing through a batch of young players together helps to install a strong team spirit.

"All the young players have really matured under our guidance," Smith said.

"It's important to have that continuity, most of them have been together for a number of years now.

"They have got the motivation now and they know enough about each other to drive each other on and demand more from each other.

"There's a desire there to be successful and a will to win and that's producing results at the moment.

"For me it's really pleasing and it's actually been quite easy as a manager because I've just been able to pick teams, put them out there and I know I'll get everything from them.

"Then, when they need I break, I've been able to turn around and put really good players in and they've made an impact as well."