Saddlers manager Jon Whitney has spoken to the local press and discussed his belief that Walsall supporters have a key role to play in the development of youngsters.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Jon said; "It’s a team effort and the fans have a major part to play. Whether you come to every game or two games – you can still support from afar. You need to be patient and you need to give these kids some time.
"You need to encourage – even when your gut feeling is to have a go at them and be negative. I understand that will happen but just try and hold back because you never know how far that player is to finding that consistency. It can happen very quickly and, all of a sudden, they believe they belong in League One – that they belong at the Banks’s Stadium.
"We’ve got some very good youngsters coming through so let’s see where the process takes us over the next coming weeks, months and years."
"You need to encourage – even when your gut feeling is to have a go at them and be negative. I understand that will happen but just try and hold back because you never know how far that player is to finding that consistency. It can happen very quickly and, all of a sudden, they believe they belong in League One – that they belong at the Banks’s Stadium.
"We’ve got some very good youngsters coming through so let’s see where the process takes us over the next coming weeks, months and years."