Dean Smith backing in Walsall youth
Walsall manager Dean Smith believes the club's youth policy is already starting to bear fruit after two of the Saddlers' own starred in the 2-2 draw with Brentford.
Walsall manager Dean Smith believes the club's youth policy is already starting to bear fruit after two of the Saddlers' own starred in the 2-2 draw with Brentford.
Striker George Bowerman, in his first start of the season, scored one and made another for Jamie Paterson as Smith's men picked up another League One point at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday.
Sedgley-born Bowerman, and forward-cum-winger Paterson, both 20, came through the Saddlers' youth set-up and played under Smith when he first arrived at the club as youth team boss.
Paterson has already made over 50 appearances for the first-team while Bowerman has been involved in 26 games and both were given their debuts, in faith, from boss Smith.
He said: "We want to bring players through, the academy is massively important to us as a football club, because of the current climate we are in.
"It just shows you that we are a work in progress, but you have Jamie and George both scoring and, two-and-a-half years ago, they were the centre forward partnership for my youth team.
"I knew then that I had two good players, they scored 40 odd goals between that season, but I always told them potential is only a word, what they have to do is go and fulfil it.
"They have come a long, long way in a short space of time but they are getting better and better as we go on, they can be big players for us if they keep learning.
"That goal will be a boost for George, he needs to make sure now that he keeps level headed and working hard, but he earned the right to start the game on Saturday. He's been working very hard.
"Jamie has matured an awful lot over the last year and George is slowly starting too, as well."
The Saddlers boss isn't entirely reliant on youth, former Sheffield United left-back Andy Taylor signed last week and was solid again in his home debut on Saturday.
The 26-year-old answered a Saddlers SOS with non-contract player James Chambers – who is still at the club receiving treatment - out for five weeks with a thigh injury.
Taylor first played in the Capital One Cup defeat at Premier League club Queens Park Rangers and then again in the Brentford game and Smith has been happy with his input.
He said: "I thought Andy was excellent on Saturday, he's with us until the end of January and we will assess it then.
"He's a very good player, we knew that and we are pleased he's on board with us."
