How Jake Hollman can learn from Walsall teammate's early struggles last season

It would later prove to be a learning experience for the young Irishman who was still finding his feet in England, but the most flippant supporter could've been led to believe that he would not make the grade. 

He looked overawed by the occasion, maybe even out of his depth. It would be nearly four months until he started again in League Two, but by which stage he was eager to prove a point. 

A man of the match display in a 2-1 win at Notts County on New Year's Day kick-started his ascent, as Mat Sadler spent the remainder of the campaign easing him into the first team fold. 

By the time star man Taylor Allen departed for Wycombe Wanderers in the summer; Weir, albeit with big shoes to fill, was finally ready to step out from the shadows. 

Jake Hollman, who made the intriguing switch from A-League side Macarthur FC this summer, finds himself in a similar position to the one Weir faced during his first few months in the West Midlands. 

Yes, there is a distinct difference between hopping over the Irish Sea and the other side of the world, but there are many elements that are comparable. 

The Australian midfielder is yet to convince in the limited game time he has been given to showcase his worth, but Sadler has rightly called for patience. 

Mat Sadler: 'Patience is key' for Jake Hollman at Walsall

"We're talking about this all the time in terms of what the best route is for Jake at the minute," Sadler acknowledged. 

"Because we know he missed pre-season and that's always really tough. Competition in the middle of the pitch is really strong. 

"As we go into a collection of Saturday-to-Saturday games, we've got to make sure that we get him to where he needs to be. 

"He's still getting to know us a little bit, he's still getting to know England and English football. We've got to be patient with him, but we want him to play games as well. 

"It's definitely a game of patience with Jake. Patience while he settles, patience while he gains some experience of what this is all about."

How Evan Weir can serve as an inspiration?

As Sadler noted, Hollman's lack of pre-season coupled with a seismic change both in terms of football culture and moving to a new country must be considered when assessing his early impact. 

Weir at least had the benefit of a strong Irish contingent, which featured the likes of Oisin McEntee and David Okagbue, both of which have since departed over the summer. 

Hollman is essentially playing catch-up after the drawn out process to bring him to the club, but Weir's example should serve as an inspiration to him. 

The defender is the embodiment of resilience, and living proof that it's "not about how well you start, but how well you finish". 

In fact, perhaps the word "finish" is not particularly apt. After all, a football career is an ever-evolving journey, and these early months in England could very well be the making, or the breaking, of the midfielder from Down Under.