Sam Parkin: Darrell Clarke will come good at Walsall
Former Walsall striker Sam Parkin has described the club's appointment of Darrell Clarke as a 'coup' and that the boss needs time to implement his style of play.
The 38-year-old joined the Saddlers from Luton in 2009 but only lasted one season in the Black Country before moving to St Johnstone.
He now works as a pundit across TV and radio and is regularly involved in the coverage for another of his former clubs, Swindon.
And despite Walsall's inconsistent start to life in League Two, Parkin says that Walsall's board and fans need to have patience with Clarke.
"He was given continuity at Bristol Rovers, which is the most important thing, so it says to me that he was doing something right," Parkin said.
"It's still early days in terms of seeing the style he wants to implement.
"He's gone for some lads that he knows really well, which is sensible, he knows their professionalism and what he'll get out of them.
"Maybe a few of the other players at the moment are a stab in the dark.
"It's going to take a little bit of time.
"He's a very good appointment, for the level and where Walsall find themselves right now, it's a good coup to get him to the club.
"It's patience – let him have six months and if the results and performances don't improve by January or February I'm sure the fans will let him know he needs to do better."
Walsall's forwards have been criticised this season for failing to hit the mark in front of goal.
And with those troubles, Parkin expects a season of building and stability for Walsall.
"I find it hard to see it (promotion) this season," he added.
"The club need to be seen to be going in the right direction for the supporters.
"Whether that's a brand of football, signing some better calibre players – I've read a lot about the matchday experience too.
"It's tricky because of where the club's situated.
"They're always looked upon as the smaller sibling to some of the bigger clubs in the West Midlands.
"This year they need to have a good season, they need to show the supporters something to make them want to keep coming back, that's been a problem the last couple of years.
"But promotion, no, I see stronger teams at the moment in the division.
"If you haven't got a few chipping in with a couple goals, it'll be a problem to fire yourselves into the reckoning."
Sam Parkin was a pundit on EFL on Quest live from The Breyer Group Stadium on Saturday October 12, the home of Leyton Orient. Watch all the highlights every Saturday at 9pm. Also available via desktop and app on QuestOD.
