The Saddlers got their 2019/20 campaign off to a perfect start with a one-nil victory over Northampton Town last weekend and Clarke admitted that he has been impressed with the determination his players have shown so far and wants them all to continue to prove their doubters wrong.
The gaffer, who has signed fifteen players so far this summer, went on to single out one player who has already gone some way to doing just that, Liam Roberts. The academy-developed stopper was in fine form as he thwarted the Cobblers and kept an all-important clean sheet on the way to three points.
Speaking via the club's official website, Darrell said; "It’s a big season for every player. What I like is the determination to prove doubters wrong.
"Everybody in that changing room has got something or somebody that says you’re not good enough or you’re too young or you need to go out on loan, they’ve all got something to prove.
"It’s using that determination every single day to try and push their careers on and he’s one of them, Liam Roberts.
"His kicking was a little bit hit and miss but his shot-stopping, collecting crosses, that’s what I want to see. He didn’t go hiding in his shell so hopefully, he grows from there."
Despite the securing the prefect start the gaffer isn’t getting carried away and is keen to quickly turn his attention to Saturday’s home game against Forest Green, and is under no illusions about the nature of Sky Bet League Two, admitting that any of the twenty-four teams could go on to win the title.
"Everybody in that changing room has got something or somebody that says you’re not good enough or you’re too young or you need to go out on loan, they’ve all got something to prove.
"It’s using that determination every single day to try and push their careers on and he’s one of them, Liam Roberts.
"His kicking was a little bit hit and miss but his shot-stopping, collecting crosses, that’s what I want to see. He didn’t go hiding in his shell so hopefully, he grows from there."
Despite the securing the prefect start the gaffer isn’t getting carried away and is keen to quickly turn his attention to Saturday’s home game against Forest Green, and is under no illusions about the nature of Sky Bet League Two, admitting that any of the twenty-four teams could go on to win the title.
Darrell added; "We’re going to have ups and downs. In this league, anyone can beat anyone. You can go on two/three-game losing runs or lose 15 games and still get promoted..
"It’s just about putting it to bed as quickly as possible and moving to the next game."
"It’s just about putting it to bed as quickly as possible and moving to the next game."