Can The Saddlers push for promotion? Season Preview: Walsall FC

The EFL season is fast-approaching and along with it comes the rekindled hopes of every fan up and down the country for their team.

One club who will certainly be hoping for better fortunes this campaign are Walsall, who have been in League Two since 2019 when they were relegated under Dean Keates and, briefly, Martin O’Connor.

There were severe concerns about Walsall dropping down to the Vanarama National League last season under the tenure of Matt Taylor, who was sacked last February when seven straight league defeats left the club in 21st.

However, former Newport County manager Michael Flynn was appointed and steadied the ship, guiding The Saddlers to a 16th placed finish.

The Welshman has already undergone adding more depth to the squad this summer transfer window, bringing in 14 new players, which he hopes will have them fighting towards the top end of the division.

One of those arrivals who will try to help achieve that aim is experienced forward Danny Johnson, who has joined on a six-month loan deal from Mansfield Town and looks set to play a key part during the first half of the campaign with his goal-scoring ability.

Flynn still expects more incomings over the course of this week which has raised excitement and expectations amongst supporters.

Lifelong Walsall fan Kevin Paddock runs a Saddlers fan page called Vital Walsall and he spoke to us about what his expectations are for this season.

He said: “We started pre-season with a few defeats against Aston Villa, Coventry, Barnsley and Birmingham City, but we have more than held our own against teams closer to our level, most recently beating Solihull Moors 2-0.

“We have six injuries heading in to the season which isn’t ideal but we’ve brought 14 new players in this summer, and the manager has tried to get two players for each position.

“With having the five substitute rule I think our squad has got more depth than most teams in the division.”

Kevin also gave his league position prediction and which players he thinks will shine at the Bank’s Stadium.

He added: “I expect us to finish strongly in the second half of the season when long-term absentees Conor Wilkinson and Joss Labadie return at Christmas time so I’ll go with a sixth place finish.

“For key players I’d go with Isaac Hutchinson who recently signed from Derby County, he’s already caught the eye in pre-season and Danny Johnson, we have been crying out for a prolific goalscorer for a few seasons and if he can replicate his 20 goals for Leyton Orient in 2020/21 then we’ll have a chance for promotion.”

Walsall kick off their League Two campaign on Saturday 30th July (KO: 3pm) when they host Hartlepool United.

Follow Vital Walsall on Twitter @VitalWalsall