This week, we have seen two of the clubs young defenders, Tom Leak and Callum Cockerill-Mollett, sign new deals to see them remain at the club. This, means that 4 youth products have now signed longer deals at the club. Last week we looked at the midfielders, now let’s have a look at the defenders.
Callum Cockerill-Mollet featured 15 times for us last season in all competitions, which when you consider the fact that he has only played 4 times for the club before this season, is a great return. He really did start to find his feet and cement a starting place in the team. He has been unfortunate with injuries in his career so far. Callum suffered again with injury this season, coming off in the first half against Salford. I have no doubt that if he hadn’t suffered with injury, that he would have continued to play, and fight Pring for the LB spot. Callum also moved to play on the left side of a back 3, which shows he can be adaptable too. In an interview with the club, CCM talks about how he is now fit and raring to go, and hopes to be in the starting line-up as much as possible, and here’s hoping he does.
The other player to sign an extension is Tom Leak. Tom is 19 years old, and is yet to make a first team appearance for the club. However, much has been said about his progress this season, and after a taste of men’s football when on loan at Salisbury, he has spoken about wanting to get more game time, but at Walsall. Brian Dutton has said that Leak has impressed this season with his work ethic and that they see him developing into a first team player. He has hinted that Leak might not quite be ready, on the clubs website, and with a few players above him in the pecking order, he will have his work cut out to break into a regular spot, but clearly the coaching staff feel he can get there in the future.
I am happy that both had been offered new deals, and that both have accepted. I hope that they are more than one year, or at least have options in the clubs favour, as I feel it is important to have younger, talented players tied down. Options in the clubs favour is something that DC and Pomlett like to do, with 3 first-teamers having deals extended after these clauses were exercised, so hopefully these have been put into these deals, and those that have already signed up too,
Looking at the season to come. I would like to see CCM have a really consistent run in the team, and stay injury free too. He showed big improvements in the runs that he had last season, and I feel that having more consistent first-team football would really help him grow as a player. From Leak, I would like to see more development from him, and enough of a good run in the reserves and development squad to push for starts in cup matches.
It has been a good few days for the club in tying down their younger players. It is a sign that players are enjoying their time at the club, and especially for the youngsters, that they see a pathway to first team football, and see how they can grow and improve whilst saying at the club.
