Darrell Clarke: Mitch Candlin loan could be key to his Walsall future
Walsall manager Darrell Clarke has encouraged Mitch Candlin to make a success of his latest loan spell before he makes a decision on the young striker’s future.
The 19-year-old has made nine Saddlers first team appearances since his debut, aged 16, before he embarked on an unsuccessful loan with Blackburn Rovers’ under-23s last season.
After also falling short on-loan at Southern League Central Division side Nuneaton Borough this year, Candlin has now joined non-league rivals Alvechurch and Clarke has challenged him to take this opportunity.
“He needs to be playing men’s football doesn’t he,” he said. He’s done OK in the reserve games and there was an opportunity to go out on loan and play men’s football - I don’t think that can be beaten for younger lads.
“Mitch has been in and out of the reserves for a good period of time now and you can play as many of those games but you can’t beat a competitive game.
“Hopefully he does well.”
Since Candlin broke the first-team three years ago, fans have been eager to see him fulfil his potential, but Clarke insists the past is irrelevant as he judges the players from his time at the club.
“What did he do at Blackburn? At the end of the day it didn’t work out,” he added.
“I wasn’t the manager of the club so I don’t know the circumstances, all I do is judge players here.
“Mitch works hard in training, there’s no problem with his attitude.
“He went to Nuneaton and got in the team and was then left out of the 18 and he needs to be playing men’s football regularly.
“We assess our loans, we don’t send them out on loan and not watch and get the feedback.
“All the assessments are made and then we make decisions on whether we think they have a future or not – so hopefully Mitch goes out and has a good loan.”
