Football Season Guide

League 2

England

League 2

2022/2023

Walsall

In

Adam Pryzbek (Goalkeeper, Wycombe Wanderers); Owen Evans (Goalkeeper, Cheltenham Town); Liam Bennett (Defender, Cambridge United, Season-long loan); Liam Gordon (Defender, Bolton Wanderers); Oisin McEntee (Defender, Newcastle United); Peter Clarke (Defender, Tranmere Rovers); Brandon Comley (Midfielder, Dagenham and Redbridge); Flynn Clarke (Midfielder, Norwich City, Season-long loan); Isaac Hutchinson (Midfielder, Derby County); Joe Riley (Midfielder, Carlisle United); Taylor Allen (Midfielder, Forest Green Rovers); Andy Williams (Attacker, Cheltenham Town); Douglas James-Taylor (Attacker, Stoke City, Season-long loan)

Out

Carl Rushworth (Goalkeeper, Brighton & Hove Albion, Loan ended); Jack Rose (Goalkeeper, Sutton United); Joe Foulkes (Defender, Kidderminster Harriers, Season-long loan); Mat Sadler (Defender, retired); Reece Devine (Defender, Manchester United, Loan ended); Rollin Menayese (Defender, Hartlepool United, Season-long loan); Stephen Ward (Defender, retired); Tom Leak (Defender, Kidderminster Harriers); Zak Mills (Defender, released); Brendan Kiernan (Midfielder, Grimsby Town, loan); Emmanuel Osadebe (Midfielder, Bradford City); Joe Willis (Midfielder, Stafford Rangers); Lee Tomlin (Midfielder, Doncaster Rovers); Sam Perry (Midfielder, Yeovil Town, Season-long loan); Devante Rodney (Attacker, Rochdale); George Miller (Attacker, Barnsley, Loan ended); Tyrese Shade (Attacker, Leicester City, Loan ended)

Walsall head into the new season with a renewed sense of optimism under head coach Michael Flynn following the takeover by US sports investment group Trivela Group this summer. Flynn halted a downward spiral following the sacking of rookie head coach Matt Taylor in February that threatened the Saddlers’ Football League status and he has been busy shaping his squad this summer with a play-off challenge in mind. A whole host of players have left the club with only two likely to be missed. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth’s departure was expected following an impressive season on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion. Emmanuel Osadebe was one of their more creative players last season and he has opted for a move to Bradford City. He has signed a real leader in centre-back Peter Clarke, who joins from Tranmere Rovers whilst there were plenty of clubs interests in young Newcastle United centre-back Oisin McEntee. A trio of loanees have arrived in full-back Liam Bennett, midfielder Flynn Clarke and striker Douglas James-Taylor. The versatile Joe Riley and striker Andy Williams bring plenty of Football League experience with them whilst Owen Evans will be hoping to establish himself as first-choice goalkeeper following a disappointing season with Cheltenham Town. Flynn can also rely on a trio of midfielders in Jack Earing, Joss Labadie and Liam Kinsella, who showed their qualities last season. He will be hoping to get the best out of striker Conor Wilkinson on a consistent basis and if he succeeds, the Saddlers will be looking up this season.

Target

Top-half. They finally have the right manager in Flynn and a top-half finish is well within their grasp.