No summer panic at Walsall - Paul Downing

The Saddlers won just two of their final 18 games and finished in the bottom half of League One but defender Downing believes the club's current blueprint is the right one for future success.

All eyes will be on the Banks's in the coming days and weeks as boss Dean Smith looks to strengthen his squad and tie down several out-of-contract players on new deals.

But whatever new recruits arrive, Downing is convinced the Saddlers are on the right path with their much-heralded football philosophy of playing attractive style and developing young players.

And though their season faltered badly over the final third, the 22-year-old is confident success will be achieved if they stick to the plan.

"This isn't the time to discard the bigger plan and I don't think we will ever do that," said Downing, who is contracted at the Banks's until 2016.

"I think the manager and Rich (Richard O'Kelly) are big on that and we always try and play the right way, though I do think results are what happen on a Saturday and I would certainly take results while playing badly.

"I think we have got to look to capitalise next season and make sure it is just not a near miss.

"You worry results will come back to haunt you and they often do, so we have got to make sure we are there next time to take the opportunities, win more games and put ourselves in a good position."

Downing believes the key to success next season will be turning possession statistics into points.

Smith's men saw plenty of the ball in the majority of games this season but struggled to turn it into goals and Downing added: "I think perhaps we did not win enough when we played well. People have said it has been the same old story most games but I think we have had the better of most teams we have played. It's fine margins."