Exclusive: Nathan Lowe Loving Life at Walsall with Stoke Teammate Tommy Simkin

Star striker Nathan Lowe is enjoying every minute of Walsall’s League Two title charge — with Stoke teammate Tommy Simkin by his side.

The Potters' starlets, who came through the academy in Staffordshire together, have impressed during their time at the Bescot so far this season. 

Talented teenager Lowe, still only 19, fired in five goals in four games over the frantic festive period to help the Saddlers open up a hefty 10-point cushion at the summit. 

Simkin is 20 himself and has already made himself a mainstay in the England U20 set-up and captained the side earlier this season. 

The on-loan Stoke stopper has been a pivotal part of Walsall’s phenomenal rise and has kept 12 clean sheets in 22 appearances. 

Lowe, the top scorer in League Two, told SportsBoom.com: “It’s really helpful having Simmo around, he’s such a great lad. I’ve known him for so long."

“I think we probably annoy all the other Walsall lads because we’re ‘Stoke this, Stoke that’ more on his end to be fair. He’s very nostalgic."

“At the dinner table people are like ‘can you know it off? Stoke this, Stoke that, England this, England that’."

“We have to do it in private if we’re ever talking about how Stoke are getting on."

“It’s the hardest position on the pitch. I don’t think that’s even subjective anymore. It’s so tough being a young keeper, but he’s doing so well."

“I don’t think there are many keepers his age even playing in the EFL. That’s why he’s gone away to England U20s and probably going to captain them."

“He’s flying and I don’t think he always realises that. He has lows, so do we all, but it’s healthy that we’re all there to pick him up."

“I’m sure he will go on to bigger and better things and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was Stoke’s number one in the next few years.”

LOWE HAS A KEEN EYE FOR GOAL

Lowe’s tally is already at a staggering 17 in all competitions and his exploits in front of goal saw him earn the EFL Young Player of the Month Award in October. 

Gilbert Alsop record of 39 goals in a campaign, which he struck in successive seasons way back in the 30s, is likely out of reach but he — injury permitting — become the first player to hit 20 this side of the Millennium with Kyle Lightbourne in 1997 the last player to achieve that feat.

Lowe, who set a target of getting to 10 goals as quickly as possible, added: “It was new territory. I didn’t know how I would fair in League Two. I knew I was a decent player at Premier League Two, but I didn’t know how that was going to translate."

“I knew I had it in my deep down, but I wasn’t sure. I had to adapt quickly."

“With David Hibbert [Stoke Loans Manager] we set a target of getting to ten goals as quickly as possible. He was expecting me to get them by mid-December and I was well ahead of schedule."

“I don’t like to set too many goals because you get too rash in front of goal."

“In my mind there’s not that much pressure because I got to ten goals so quickly. I just want to be my authentic self and score as many goals as possible."

“The more pressure I put on it, the more likely I am to miss. I just need to enjoy my football and that’s happening at the moment and playing with a smile on my face.”