Brian Dutton: Sam Perry and Alfie Bates are Walsall's future
Brian Dutton insists Walsall’s academy prospects are the future of the football club as he gives more opportunities to Sam Perry.
The midfielder came into the team against Cambridge at the weekend, making his second league start for the club.
In his 75 minutes on the field he impressed with his willingness to get on the ball and technical ability to pick out his team-mates.
“A second league start at 19 years of age, you couldn’t ask for any more from Sam Perry,” Dutton said.
“He looked like he was a seasoned pro in there. Finding forward passes, composure on the ball.
“I keep saying it, him and Alfie Bates are the future of Walsall football club and it’s in good hands in the centre of midfield. I couldn’t have been more proud.”
Since Dutton took over as manager he has given a handful of players, many of them youngsters, an opportunity to play.
He insists that although it may not help results in the short-term, it will benefit the club in the long run.
“Alfie, alongside Sam Perry, is the future of Walsall football club,” Dutton added.
“Two really talented players and they have the work-ethic and desire to go with it. They’re not going to be flashes in the pan. It’s about getting the balance between bringing through the future of Walsall Football Club but also remaining competitive.
“It would be easy for me to go with experience and with players that have been around the League Two block, but that’s not going to develop the next generation of talent at Walsall, such as Sam Perry.
“He’d be out in the cold with no game time, potentially going out on loan to try and develop his talents, but that doesn’t always work. These talents that we have at the football club could easily fall by the wayside.
“So I have to make selfless decisions for the future of Walsall and the long-term vision, but also remain competitive with one eye on the short-term vision as well.”
Perry started alongside Liam Kinsella at the weekend, who returned from a spell of suspension, and the midfielder was impressed.
He said: “He was brilliant again, outstanding for a 19-year-old to come into the team against second in the league and put in a performance like that.
“You can’t ask for much more, he was brilliant alongside me.”
