Adam Chambers: Improvement needed as Walsall chase top six

The Saddlers stand on the threshold of a big summer as manager Dean Smith looks to retain key players – including influential skipper Andy Butler - and bring in new faces to freshen up his squad.

Earlier this week, the boss admitted he is hoping to make the first signings within days.

Veteran midfielder Chambers is hoping the majority of the squad stays together but is confident the club will be in a position to challenge, whatever moves might be made.

"We want to keep the squad and improve on the squad, obviously that is up to the players involved and the management," he said.

"As a player it is beyond your control. The manager will make his decisions on who he wants to bring in but I'm confident that going into next season we will have a squad which can compete again and be looking to improve on last season."

But Chambers, who signed a two-year deal last summer, also admits improvement is needed if a sustained assault on the play-offs is to be made.

The Saddlers spent the entire campaign in the top half of the table and flirted with the top six before sliding to 13th on the final day, after a sequence of just two wins in their final 18 league games.

"The staff and the management will look at the squad and see for a large part of the season we were there and thereabouts," he added.

"At times we were very close, over the past few months it felt like we were close and then a million miles away. It's disappointing when you feel at times you are good enough to be in the top six but the table does not lie.

"If we had been good enough, we would have been in there. We have got to improve if we want that top six finish.

"Everyone understands that. We'll learn from it and move forward."

Walsall have confirmed they will once again travel to Skrill Conference outfit Alfreton for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 22. The Saddlers coasted to a 6-0 win in Derbyshire last July.