Football Season Guide

Walsall are coming from a particularly difficult season, as they spent the majority of the campaign battling against the drop and eventually managed to only narrowly evaded relegation. Not known as a sacking club, the Saddlers parted ways with ex-boss Jon Whitney in mid-March and it was a decision that was later vindicated, as Dean Keates managed to guide them towards safety. What was noticeable after Keates took over is that the Saddlers changed their playing style, as they became a far more physical and direct side under their new boss. It was an approach that was not particularly pleasing on the eye, but was ultimately effective, as they managed to stay up. The summer transfer window saw the Saddlers lose several backup players, as well as three regulars in Jack Fitzwater, Mark Gillespie and Erhun Oztumer, with Oztumer's departure being a particularly big blow, as he was their top scorer in each of the previous two seasons. Only four players were signed, with the most well-known one being Zeli Ismail, a talented player whose career has stalled a bit lately partly due to injuries and who is a potential like-for-like replacement for Oztumer if on form. With Oldham relegated at the end of the previous season, Walsall are now the club with the longest tenure in League One, as this will be their 12th consecutive season in the third tier. They were a solid midtable side during the majority of their current stay in the third tier and Keates will be trusted with the task of getting them back to their regular level.