Charlie Lakin's unsung role in Walsall's early promotion push

He joined in the summer with a reputation for scoring goals after a fruitful loan spell at Sutton United which heralded eight goals and five assists during the second half of last season. 

His arrival also came in the immediate aftermath of Isaac Hutchinson's departure which perhaps pinned unrealistic expectations on him to fill the void left by last season's top scorer. 

Instead, Lakin's qualities have been his work ethic off the ball and that has not been lost on his manager either. 

"Charlie is probably a real appropriate one to echo that it's all out of hard work," Mat Sadler remarked. 

"He is the epitome of that, as are some of the other guys in the group. Hard work first. 

"I think Charlie can see the hard work that his teammates put in and that takes you a long way for sure." 

Former Birmingham City midfielder Lakin has scored just once in the league (twice across all competitions) but has started 15 times across the 17 games so far. 

His influence has been key to propelling Walsall to within one point of top spot ahead of the weekend and Lakin has taken little time to call Bescot home.

"I show that from some of my celebrations when we score," he said. 

"I'm very passionate. I started here when I was a kid which always helps because it's local. 

"Because it's going in the right direction, you want to be involved in those sort of teams and that environment.

"I've always been a hard worker and this system suits me to a tee. I know what the gaffer wants from me and he knows what he can get out of me. 

"It's working really well and I will continue to do that especially off the ball. Sometimes it doesn't go your way on the ball in every game but I will continue to do the best that I can." 

Walsall briefly topped League Two during their crucial 3-2 success over Notts County on Tuesday night, before Ronan Curtis' late equaliser at Cheltenham Town rescued a point and provided Port Vale with a slender one-point lead at the summit. 

The Saddlers, who boast a game in hand over Port Vale, will move two points clear at the top if they can achieve maximum points at Vale Park. 

Lakin is eager to make it six points from a possible six at the end of a crucial week but is not willing to get ahead of himself with a long season still ahead. 

He concluded: "It would make a statement to the league. But again, we could get a win on Saturday and that's six points from this week but then lose two games in two weeks time. Then it's like, oh god, what's going on now. 

"So we will just take every game as it comes. That's our target, that's our aim and we will continues to do that."