On-loan Chelsea starlet Reggie Walsh reminds Gary Caldwell of his former Wigan Athletic team-mate James McCarthy
Gary Caldwell has likened on-loan Chelsea starlet Reggie Walsh to one of Wigan Athletic's Premier League heroes and FA Cup winners - James McCarthy!
Reggie Walsh has impressed during his short time with Laticsplaceholder image
Reggie Walsh has impressed during his short time with Latics | Bernard Platt
Walsh has made a good start to his Latics career following his summer arrival from Stamford Bridge for a 12-month stint.
The 17-year-old is currently away with the England Under-19 squad, with high hopes he will one day make it to the full Three Lions picture.
And Caldwell admits the midfielder's style of play and ability on the ball has already evoked memories of a former colleague of his from the glory days.
"I was talking to Graham Barrow about Reggie...in training he did an action that reminded me of James McCarthy, who would have been 17 or 18 when I came to the club (in January 2010)," said Caldwell.
"I just remember James' energy and enthusiasm for football was incredible. He was just a young boy with no thoughts of contracts or the wider game, he just wanted to play the game.
"And I see a lot of that in Reggie. He goes out every day in training, and he's not thinking about anything other than playing the game, and it's brilliant to see in a young player."
Right from his debut against Leyton Orient in August, Walsh showed no fear in receiving the ball from the backline, with his first thought to be to move forward at pace.
"We'll soon coach that out of him!" laughed Caldwell. "But look, the big thing you always like to see in a young player is their personality and their love for the game.
"We obviously give them instructions and clarity on how we want the team to behave in certain actions, whether that's with or without the ball.
"But within that structure, every player has to bring their own personality and qualities to the table, because that's what makes great teams.
"It's not the coach or the tactics or the ideas that make the great teams, it's the players, and how they interpret the ideas and tactics with their personality and how they carry that out.
"Yes we have structure and yes we have detail, but they have to bring that to life in their own way."
Caldwell and Latics showed their faith in Walsh from day one, when he was given the coveted No.10 shirt worn in the past by the likes of Thelo Aasgaard and another of Caldwell's ex-colleagues in Shaun Maloney.
"We thought the No.10 shirt was right for a player who has a massive future in the game," added the Latics boss.
"Look, we know he's a big signing in terms of his development. Chelsea have high hopes for him, and again we thank them for giving him to us, to help him and them to develop his career moving forward.
"I think we also have to understand he is 17 years of age, and he's going to have moments where he's going to have to learn, and it won't be easy.
"But we believe he has a big impact to make now, and that's why he's been given the No.10 shirt."