Walsall comment: Three years on, what happened to Mitch?

The young striker made his senior debut aged just 16, in the 1-0 loss away to Bradford in April 2017.

He went on to make a total of five appearances before the end of the season and was awarded with a new contract in August of that year, before making four appearances in the following 2017/18 season.

Over his nine first team appearances, Candlin didn’t get on the scoresheet, but in August 2018 he made a loan switch to Blackburn until January, with the Championship side having an option to make the move permanent.

For Blackburn, he made the squad for their under-23s nine times, coming off the bench in five games and starting once – scoring no goals.

After that spell, he returned to Walsall and it hasn’t been the same since – as he didn’t feature for the first team as the Saddlers were relegated from League One.

This year, he has had an unsuccessful spell on loan at Southern League Central Division side Nuneaton Borough, and he has now joined Alvechurch – who are battling relegation in the same division as Nuneaton.

The 19-year-old has gone from the fringes of the Championship to three levels below League Two.

When questioned about Candlin, manager Darrell Clarke has often said that his attitude and training levels are not in question and that he has done ‘OK’ in reserve matches – but seemingly he isn’t doing enough.

It’s difficult to criticise Candlin when in reality no-one knows what he is doing wrong.

Perhaps it only comes down to footballing ability, and Clarke just doesn’t fancy him.

Several other players are in the same boat.

Kory Roberts has been challenged to do more by Clarke, who has been unimpressed with his form for the reserves.

Zak Jules has been given a handful of chances but hasn’t taken them.

James Hardy hasn’t been seen for the first team since December, with the 23-year-old only making 16 appearances this season.

Clarke consistently talks about setting high standards, and he isn’t afraid to take a player out of the squad if necessary.

Right now for these players, Candlin included, there looks to be a long road back to the first team, but if what Clarke says is true, then they will be given opportunities.

Speaking of opportunities, with Rory Gaffney having left the club, three first-team strikers remain and a place is available for a fourth-choice forward to emerge.

At the moment, 15-year-old Luke Pearce is firmly in that position.

Clarke speaks glowingly about the youngster and seems keen to give him a run-out in the first team this season.

He was set to be in the squad for the Stevenage clash, before it was postponed, and he’s now expected to be involved against Exeter.

Pearce is in the same position that Candlin was three years ago and fans will be hoping to see him succeed.