David Okagbue not surprised by "special" Stoke City loanee's storming start at Walsall
Walsall defender David Okagbue insists he always expected Stoke City loanee Nathan Lowe to hit the ground running at Bescot.
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Lowe extended his tally to 10 goals in for the club across all competitions with Walsall's third goal in their 3-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old has scored five in as many games in League Two and Okagbue described the Saddlers frontman as a "special" talent who he is confident is destined for a bright future.
Okagbue said: "Massive. I expected nothing less from him and I've known him for years now.
"I know how good of a goal scorer he is and also his play in the build-up.
"He's always a threat and he's always going to make something happen. Whether that's goals or assists, getting in the box and making movements.
"He's a special player and I think he'll go really far. So it's really good to have him here."
Okagbue played with Lowe for Stoke at youth level along with fellow Saddlers loanee Tommy Simkin before joining Walsall on a permanent deal in the summer following a fruitful loan in the West Midlands last term.
And the Irishman revealed that he put in a few wise words to persuade his former Potters teammate that the Bescot was the best place to grow.
"This is going to be a really good experience for him. He's really mature for his age and he's really smart outside of football as well," he added.
"I remember the gaffer was telling me that he was speaking to him and he said, 'just give him a text'.
"So I spoke to him asking if there was any news or any updates. He told me he could have these options and I said there's only one option for you."
In total, Lowe has racked up 13 direct goal involvements (nine goals, four assists) in 17 matches in Walsall colours and is just one shy of former loanee Freddie Draper's tally of 10 from the previous campaign.
And Okagbue admitted that facing him in training is by no means an easy task.
"I try not to as best as I can," he joked. "He can make anything happen. You don't know which side he's going to go off, his left or his right.
"He's really tricky and it's difficult to play against him. It's obviously good to test yourself but I just try to stay away from home."
