RYAN Jarvis made a vow to make his former boss Russell Slade pay for releasing him this summer – and he looks on course to do just that after bagging a double in Walsall’s win over Bournemouth.
Jarvis was deemed surplus to requirements for much of last season under Slade at Leyton Orient and was duly cut from the playing staff in the end-of-season shake-up.
His loss was Dean Smith’s gain, however, with the Walsall manager quick to swoop for the former England under-19 international.
And that was a relative gamble that might now just be about to pay big dividends.
Having started only one game so far this term, the Carling Cup defeat to Middlesbrough, Jon Macken’s ankle injury paved the way for Jarvis to start against the Cherries.
And he grabbed the chance with both hands – netting from the spot in the 15th minute and then powering in a header in the 55th as the Saddlers won on the road for the first time since February.
And Smith was adamant the 25-year-old’s first two goals would not be his last for the Saddlers.
He said: “Ryan has well and truly set out his stall now.
“There might have been a few doubts about him having not played a lot of games over the past few years.
“But this is his chance to prove people wrong.
“I know what Ryan can do. He looked bright when he turned out for the reserves in the week.
“When Jon Macken went down injured and couldn’t make it, I had no qualms in putting Ryan in.
“That’s what I said to him when I signed him for the club.
“I told him that I believed he was capable of doing it and it was up to him – he is a clever footballer.
“He was confident enough to step up and take the penalty and scored a good headed goal as well.
“It was his first league start and he proved his worth by getting two goals and winning the game.”
BOURNEMOUTH: Flahavan, Byrne, Barrett, Cooper, Malone (Purches, 78), Feeney, Arter, MacDonald, Pugh, Taylor (Stockley, 61), Lovell (Molesley, 77). Subs: Baudry, Jalal
WALSALL (4-4-2): Grof 6, Westlake 6, Butler 7, Smith 7, Sadler 6, Gnakpa 6 (Nicholls 63, 6), Chambers 7, Taundry 7, Hurst 6, ★ JARVIS 8 (Beevers, 85), Grigg 7. Subs: Lancashire, Paterson, Peterlin.
Referee: D Phillips (West Sussex).
