Football Season Guide

Walsall continue to tread water as they head into their fifth successive League Two campaign. Last summer’s takeover by US sports investment group Trivela Group failed to change their fortunes. Experienced head coach Michael Flynn was unable to halt the Saddlers downward spiral in the second half of last season and lost his job with barely a fortnight of the campaign remaining. They remain committed to the Director of Football / Head Coach model adopted after Darrell Clarke left for Port Vale in February 2021 with caretaker Mat Sadler’s appointment has been made permanent this summer. More than 15 players have been allowed to leave the club with several loanees having returned to their parent clubs. The most surprising departure is midfielder Liam Kinsella, with many expecting him to have been offered a new contract. Sadler is clearly determined to manage on his own terms and a complete re-set is certainly required. He has however brought striker Danny Johnson back from Mansfield Town, this time on a permanent deal. He was recalled from his loan spell back in January and it was a pivotal moment in their season. Johnson will be hoping to continue where he left off, having scored 15 goals in 27 games. The surprise signing of exciting young centre-back Priestley Farquharson from Newport County could be one of the best in the division. He has real potential and will be looking to make his mark. Two or three more signings of a similar calibre and the Saddlers will be looking up rather than down this time.