BRIAN Clough used to have a saying – ‘If you are good enough, you are old enough’.

Of course, he’s not the only manager to throw young, raw talent in at the deep end – Sir Alex Ferguson famously DID go on to win things with kids at Manchester United.

Wanderers boss Neil Lennon seems to be off the same belief as those managerial two greats.

Last season he handed Zach Clough and Tom Walker their debuts at senior level and both repaid him with some effervescent displays.

And it doesn't look as if that production line from the Eddie Davies Academy is in any danger of stopping with yet more young talent ready to step off the conveyor belt in the next few years – something increasingly important for clubs in the financial position Wanderers now find themselves in outside England's top flight.

Last season's under-18s hot-shot Jamie Thomas quickly progressed to the u21s development set-up and has been handed a first-team squad number this campaign.

Training with the senior squad will undoubtedly help the Wales U18s forward progress and there is another teenage forward waiting in line behind him.

Iranian-born Alex Samizadeh has already got the Whites fans talking with10 goals in just seven outings for David Lee's youth team this season after signing scholarship forms in the summer.

And he has also impressed inside the club with the 16-year-old picked by coach Iain Brunskill to play for the u21s at just 16 years of age.

Samizadeh marked his debut as substitute against Cardiff City with a goal and then netted on his first start for the development squad in a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich Town.

Meanwhile, Thomas has taken his scoring form from the youth set-up into the Under-21s with five goals already for Brunskill's charges this term.

Add in Kaiyne Woolery – another youngster in the ranks who made his first-team bow at the back end of last season at Bournemouth – and there is competition up front to impress Lennon and his coaching staff.

The Northern Irishman may be looking to add to his firepower in the loan market for the present but the future for the attacking department certainly looks bright.

The Whites boss told The Bolton News: "I am very pleased with the young players here.

"Tom Walker was another big success for us last year and he has a lot more to come.

"He is very talented and has that natural flair for the game.

"We have others below him and Zach (Clough) too.

"We may put a few out on loan as well.

"I think that’s important now if they are not going to be a part of the squad to get out and play games and come back better.

"The U21s side and those coming through from the academy has been very pleasing."

One of the teenagers who has already started to make his mark is Salfordian Walker who played alongside Clough at Under-18s level and was part of the youth side that reached the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2013 – hitting a hat-trick at White Hart Lane in an incredible 8-4 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

He got his chance at the run of the year, coming off the bench against Leeds United before a first start two months later in a home win against Millwall.

Walker scored his first senior goal in his third start at Wigan Athletic and went on to make 11 appearances in total in his first senior campaign.

However, his appearances have been fleeting so far this season as he fights to regain the regular spot he commanded in the spring.

But he is working hard to get back in and admits he is happy to play any role for Lennon if required.

Walker told the club: "I don't mind where I play really.

"If I had to pick I'd probably say in the three behind the striker, be it out wide on either flank or behind the striker, though I'm happy to play central midfield too.

"Playing wing-back last season was a new experience for me but I enjoyed it.

"I'll play anywhere.

"As long as I'm in the team I'm happy.

"Wherever the gaffer decides to pick me I'll give it my all and hopefully do a job.

"I think we've got a really strong team, especially when everyone is fit, so there is competition for places.

"I just need to keep working hard in training."