The Walsall FC academy has stepped into gear and has a stronger group coming through now, but getting young players ready for the huge step up is a big challenge.
For many clubs, Walsall included, financial stability is tough and bringing through young players to fill out the squad can be a real bonus. This season, Walsall have blooded youngsters in the Virtu Trophy with Stan Straw being the standout youngster, who has already signed a pro deal.
Several other youngsters are hoping to get a similar contract to move them forward on their journey. On the last fan chat ,https://youtube.com/live/rcOm9PcmIj4?feature=share we talked about the youngsters who had gained their first contracts and if they would be granted extensions as they hope to gain regular first team football.
Jenson Kilroy has spent some time this season with Rushall and Alvechurch but the question is whether he has developed sufficiently to remain with the club. We certainly hope so, but at 19, it is most likely too soon for him to be a regular on the first team bench. Wages at his age aren’t too much of a drain on the budget, but too many being held onto but not being first team ready, will start to take budget away from securing the quality required to push at the top end of the table.
Dylan Thomas is also 19 and has had loan spells at Worcester and Stratford in the Southern premier but has yet to impose himself nearer to the first team. He has been doing well with the academy but at 19 is it time to be playing regularly in the adult game. Has he impressed sufficiently to be given more time to develop and breakthrough?
Ronan Maher at 21, is playing regularly in the National League for Tamworth and has impressed in his few first team games. I think the biggest challenge for him is how he fits into the current 352 system which will most likely return next season. Darren Byfield stated that he would have recalled Ronan to play in a 433, but agreements were in place that he would not be recalled. We say it every season, but will next season actually be his break through season, if it isn’t, i don’t think it ever will be at Walsall.
Several other youngsters are looking to gain contracts. Charlie Wragg at 19, has been a scholar for long enough and it is decision time. He has performed well for Halesowen over two spells with 8 goals and 5 assists in 37 appearances ands more recently scored 2 in 2 for Stratford Town. Asked about his future last week after gaining the man of the match, he replied when asked, “No clue.” https://share.google/JDFF1drqxQ2xHBYlC Described as a fox in the box, the 5’9″ striker needs to be given a contract and some opportunities with the first team. He has proved he can get goals, scoring goals in pre-season and continuing to do so on his loan spells. Sometimes, the club seem to pin hopes on loan players rather than giving chances to their developing youths.
Given the limited game time given to Aaron Loupala Bi, would it not have been better to give minutes to Charlie Wragg. The frustration of loaning and giving game time to Port Vale’s Rico Richards instead of using and developing Ronan Maher seemed odd.
Mclloyd Oben is just 18, so I assume he will be kept as a scholar for another twelve months. His challenge will be to get himself more minutes in the Virtu Trophy games or a loan to the national league, Tamworth perhaps?
Paul Makavore is also just 18 and will likely continue as a scholar and get more non-league loans as he tries to make the transition to adult football. Similar to Mclloyd, more minutes in the Virtu trophy could lift him into consideration for a loan to the national league.
Will Etheridge at 17 has gained plaudits getting the Apprentice of the year award as well as success in the southern league premier division. Like many of the youngsters, keeping their attitudes spot on and taking their chances when they come will determine if they can make the grade.
The word is that the academy now have a much stronger supply of talent. The aforementioned players are showing the progress, but academy players getting pro contracts and progressing into the first team is the only measure that will really count.
