As the Saddlers prepare for Saturday's pre-season clash with Luton Town, manager Dean Smith has spoken to the local press and discussed young duo Matt Preston and Reece Flanagan, and has admitted that 2015/16 could be 'make or break' for the academy products.
Speaking to Joseph Masi of the Express & Star, Smith said; “We know it’s a big year for them both. If they aren’t pushing for a place in the first team at the age of 20 or 21 then the time has probably come to be looking elsewhere.
“But I have got a lot of faith in them. Reece had his best game of pre-season against Albion. The defensive side of his game is improving and his positioning is getting better.
“Preston has gone a little bit under the radar. He is a good player and is aggressive. He is getting better on the ball and is making better decisions now – that is what we were worried about but he has certainly got better at that.”