Walsall boss hails performances of Aston Villa loanee Kevin Toner and West Ham’s George Dobson

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Jon Whitney has been impressed with the two young stars.

Walsall manager Jon Whitney has hailed the performances of young Aston Villa loanee Kevin Toner and on-loan West Ham midfielder George Dobson, as quoted by the Walsall Advertiser.

Dobson joined the Saddlers on a season-long loan in June, whilst Toner signed on in August on a deal until January.

The Hammers midfielder has made six appearances for the League One club so far in all competitions, impressing in a midfield role despite being at the tender age of 18.

Dobson is yet to play a senior game for West Ham and this loan spell is bringing him his first taste of first-team action, and Whitney admits he has been impressed by what he has seen so far from the teenager.

The Walsall boss said, via the Advertiser: “George came off with nothing left on Saturday – but that’s what you have to do if you want to win games, that’s what you have to sacrifice physically.

“George came to me after the defeat at Northampton, shut the door behind him and said he wanted to fight for me and this team. I told him I knew that. But I explained I have to decide when it is right to put the younger players in.

“George deserved his chance because he has done well when he has come in. I watched him for the under-21s and he has dictated play. We needed someone to come in and just free Adam Chambers up a little bit because I wanted Adam to try and win the ball a bit higher up the pitch. George can then be the one that links the play and he did that really well.”

Whitney also voiced his pleasure with what he saw from Toner, who has played in seven of the Saddlers’ 11 league games so far this term.

The manager added: “Kev Toner grew in stature throughout the game. You can see why I brought him in because he’s one that actually stepped forward and coped.”

Toner has four Premier League appearances under his belt for Villa from the back end of last season, but was allowed to leave on loan this summer by former manager Roberto di Matteo.