Mat Sadler urging kids to kick on at Walsall
Player-coach Mat Sadler has challenged Walsall’s exciting crop of youngsters to push for a place in the first-team this season.
The experienced defender will combine his playing duties while being part of manager Darrell Clarke’s backroom team for the 2020/21 campaign.
Sadler got a first taste of life in the dugout when he managed a youthful Walsall XI against Leamington on Tuesday.
And he was particularly impressed with midfielders Joe Willis and Sam Perry as well as striker Jayden Campbell – youngsters who have been given a chance to impress in first-team friendlies recently.
“Willis is someone I’ve been really impressed with,” Sadler said.
“He has come back fit, he has come back strong and he has come back as a player who wants to stake a claim for the first team.
“That’s what we’ve challenged the young players to do, put themselves in the window of the manager and be knocking on that door saying you want some minutes and some game time.
“It was also good to see Sam Perry stamping his authority on the (Leamington) game.
“Jayden Campbell as well, I haven’t seen much of him but he’s impressed with his outings in the first-team friendly and played 80 minutes against Leamington so it was a good experience.
“I look at the work Miguel (academy manager Miguel Llera) is doing with his young lads and we’re going in the right direction as a football club.”
