How Charlie Lakin is fast emerging as one of Walsall's key men this season

It's also those exact same characteristics which have endeared him to the Walsall fanbase since his summer arrival in 2024. 

Even on one of his rare off-days, Lakin never walks off a football pitch having given anything less than 110 per cent. 

His match-winner at MK Dons consolidated a blistering start to the campaign for the 26-year-old, who also bagged an assist in the Saddlers' 2-1 triumph at Barnet on August 16. 

Lakin's numbers in front of goal don't really jump off the page. He notched eight goals and five assists in just 21 games for relegated Sutton United in the second half of 2023-24, but has not come close to replicating those figures so far at Bescot. 

His first season ended with four goals and two assists in 49 matches across all competitions, but his return of three goals in pre-season, has clearly boosted his confidence in the final third final. 

Lakin aiming for 'double figures' at Walsall

And after getting off the mark for the season, Lakin has set himself the task of hitting double figures for goals and assists. 

"Personally I'd like to hit double figures [for goals and assists]. I put myself down in that creative category and to get off the mark early in the season is a good sign," Lakin declared.

"It's good to start getting those chances and picking up those pockets of space.

"I work on it every day in training and the gaffer gives me the freedom to implement my attacking strengths."

Even if Lakin does not meet his end-of-season target, his influence stretches far beyond just purely goals and assists. 

'I've always been the sort of player who would do the dirty work'

First and foremost, Lakin is a team player and his ability to cover endless ground, press and harass with a relentless endeavour and pick up good positions between the lines makes him a vital cog in Sadler's system. 

It's also an area of the game which Lakin relishes and expects himself to commit to whenever he is on the pitch. 

"That stuff off the ball, you don't need any ability for that. It's just mindset and heart," he noted. 

"I feel like every player has got that in them, it's just whether they want to show that. I've been the same player ever since I was a kid. 

"I've always been the sort of player who would work hard and do the dirty work. The out-of-possession stuff: the pressing, the shape, the second balls. To add a goal to that just caps it all off."