Alfie Bates 'Delighted' As Walsall Deal is Extended Alfie Bates 'Delighted' As Walsall Deal is Extended

Alfie Bates 'Delighted' As Walsall Deal is Extended

Following the recent confirmation that Walsall FC had exercised an option in his contract to extend his stay with the club for at least another year, Alfie Bates has spoken to club journalists and welcomed the opportunity to remain in WS1.
Bates, who joined the Saddlers in 2016 following his release by Birmingham City, enjoyed a successful first full season in the first-team under manager Darrell Clarke. making twenty-one first-team appearances during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign.

Scoring two goals in all competitions, his first professional strike came during the Saddlers' Boxing Day away win over Scunthorpe United, and the Coventry-born midfielder admits that he is looking to have an even bigger impact during the 2020/21 campaign.

Speaking via the club's official website, Alfie said; "I’m very delighted to be staying with the club for another year. I managed to get quite a few games under my belt last season and now I can’t wait to get some more really.

"I set myself a target last season to get 25 to 30 games under my belt in my first season and I got near to that target. I’m just ready to really kick on now and just get some more games under my belt.

"Last season was a big test for me playing all of the games that I did and then coming out of the team, that really did test my mindset and I feel more experienced now having gone through that and I’m more mentally ready for next season."

Bates went on to admit that one of the main reasons behind his strong mindset is due to the support network he has had around him, both on and off the pitch, with the likes of Danny Guthrie, James Clarke, Stuart Sinclair and manager Darrell Clarke all offering him their support.

Alfie continued; "I’ve had a really good support network around me, especially last season. There are a few role models in the group like Danny Guthrie, James Clarke and Stu Sinclair.

"They’ve really helped me a lot and they’ve helped me get through it. They’ve told me to keep going the way I’m going, keep trying to get as many games under my belt as possible and to just keep enjoying myself really.

"The gaffer has been brilliant with me. He has eased me into the team and then he gave me that run of games and I just want to repay the faith he has shown in me to him."

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