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Under-18s coach David Lee believes teenager Tom Walker has all the attributes to command a regular first-team spot at Wanderers for years to come.
The 19-year-old winger opened his senior scoring account at Wigan on Saturday and was only denied a matchwinner's tag in stoppage time when substitute Martyn Waghorn levelled for the hosts.
Walker's opener capped an incredible eight days for the Salfordian who was unexpectedly thrown into the side for a full debut against Millwall when Manchester United loanee Saidy Janko complained of a back problem in the warm-up.
He has started both matches since and now is off the mark thanks to his strike at the DW Stadium.
Like fellow youth graduate Zach Clough, Walker has been given his chance by Lennon since the turn of the year and grabbed it with both hands.
And Lee, who admits it fills him with pride to see another youngster come through the ranks to make the grade, says he was always earmarked as one who could, like Clough, shine given the opportunity.
The youth coach told The Bolton News: "It was great to see Tom get on the scoresheet at the weekend.
"It has been a great week for him to get his full debut and then score his first goal – those are landmark moments you always remember.
"He was always a player that had the potential right from an early age when he joined us at under-10s level.
"He was only small when he came into the youth team and probably only starting growing into a man in the third year of his scholarship.
"But we all knew he had the ability, pace and a great left foot which always makes a young player stand out.
"I worked with him with the under-12s and then again for the under-18s and he has always had that drive, determination and focus to become a professional footballer.
"Tom is quiet but conscientious and has great support from his family which have meant he has not had to deal with any outside influences.
"He has had times in the past where things have not gone as well and it maybe dented his self-belief.
"But now his confidence is high and it is great to see, though he is not the sort of lad to get carried away and will keep working hard."
Like Clough and other graduates from the Eddie Davies Academy production line in recent years, Walker has benefited from the opportunity handed to him by Lennon.
He is one of four members of the side that beat Tottenham 8-4 at White Hart Lane in the FA Youth Cup two years ago, when he netted a hat-trick, to go on and represent the first team.
And Lee says that also has a knock-on effect with the next crop at the academy.
He added: "We take the lads to watch first-team games and when they see the likes of Zach, Tom and Josh Vela doing so well it is a big incentive for them.
"The manager has been great in giving younger players an opportunity and it is a real hands-on approach from him and Iain Brunskill (development squad coach).
"There are regular chats about how younger players are doing and it is a fantastic boost for everyone at the academy from players to coaches.
"To have several from that same squad who did so well in the FA Youth Cup run in 2013 go on and progress is great to see and fully deserved as far as the players go.
"It doesn't happen overnight with players like Tom – a lot of work and time goes into developing players but when you see the rewards and the willingness of the manager to give them a chance, it makes all that work worthwhile."
Walker's aim now is to keep impressing in the remaining seven Championship matches.
And Lee believes there could even be international recognition if Walker keeps improving.
His former U18s coach added: "You never know what may happen as far as the U21s go.
"Playing first-team football regularly puts you in the public eye more.
"Tom has briefly had experience when he joined up with England-s U18s two years ago so people in the set-up will know about him already.
"For now, though, his focus has to be on staying in the first-team and just continuing to work hard."
Source
The 19-year-old winger opened his senior scoring account at Wigan on Saturday and was only denied a matchwinner's tag in stoppage time when substitute Martyn Waghorn levelled for the hosts.
Walker's opener capped an incredible eight days for the Salfordian who was unexpectedly thrown into the side for a full debut against Millwall when Manchester United loanee Saidy Janko complained of a back problem in the warm-up.
He has started both matches since and now is off the mark thanks to his strike at the DW Stadium.
Like fellow youth graduate Zach Clough, Walker has been given his chance by Lennon since the turn of the year and grabbed it with both hands.
And Lee, who admits it fills him with pride to see another youngster come through the ranks to make the grade, says he was always earmarked as one who could, like Clough, shine given the opportunity.
The youth coach told The Bolton News: "It was great to see Tom get on the scoresheet at the weekend.
"It has been a great week for him to get his full debut and then score his first goal – those are landmark moments you always remember.
"He was always a player that had the potential right from an early age when he joined us at under-10s level.
"He was only small when he came into the youth team and probably only starting growing into a man in the third year of his scholarship.
"But we all knew he had the ability, pace and a great left foot which always makes a young player stand out.
"I worked with him with the under-12s and then again for the under-18s and he has always had that drive, determination and focus to become a professional footballer.
"Tom is quiet but conscientious and has great support from his family which have meant he has not had to deal with any outside influences.
"He has had times in the past where things have not gone as well and it maybe dented his self-belief.
"But now his confidence is high and it is great to see, though he is not the sort of lad to get carried away and will keep working hard."
Like Clough and other graduates from the Eddie Davies Academy production line in recent years, Walker has benefited from the opportunity handed to him by Lennon.
He is one of four members of the side that beat Tottenham 8-4 at White Hart Lane in the FA Youth Cup two years ago, when he netted a hat-trick, to go on and represent the first team.
And Lee says that also has a knock-on effect with the next crop at the academy.
He added: "We take the lads to watch first-team games and when they see the likes of Zach, Tom and Josh Vela doing so well it is a big incentive for them.
"The manager has been great in giving younger players an opportunity and it is a real hands-on approach from him and Iain Brunskill (development squad coach).
"There are regular chats about how younger players are doing and it is a fantastic boost for everyone at the academy from players to coaches.
"To have several from that same squad who did so well in the FA Youth Cup run in 2013 go on and progress is great to see and fully deserved as far as the players go.
"It doesn't happen overnight with players like Tom – a lot of work and time goes into developing players but when you see the rewards and the willingness of the manager to give them a chance, it makes all that work worthwhile."
Walker's aim now is to keep impressing in the remaining seven Championship matches.
And Lee believes there could even be international recognition if Walker keeps improving.
His former U18s coach added: "You never know what may happen as far as the U21s go.
"Playing first-team football regularly puts you in the public eye more.
"Tom has briefly had experience when he joined up with England-s U18s two years ago so people in the set-up will know about him already.
"For now, though, his focus has to be on staying in the first-team and just continuing to work hard."
Source
I think Jamie Thomas will outshine them all.