Walsall frontmen 'playing for their futures'
Boss Dean Smith has thrown down the gauntlet to a host of his attacking stars, reminding them they are playing for their Walsall futures.
The Saddlers managed a measly 50 goals in the League One last season with only Fleetwood, Crewe and relegated Notts County and Yeovil finding the target less often.
That lack of fire power lead to Smith's men registering 17 draws throughout the 2014/15 campaign - more than any other team in the division.
And now Smith has told the likes of the Romaine Sawyers, Jordan Cook, Anthony Forde and James Baxendale that a huge 12 months lies ahead with their contracts set to expire next summer.
"It's a big season for a lot of them," Smith said. "I have individual meetings with all the players at the end of the season and ask them how they think they've done. Then I tell them how I feel they have done. I have told a few of them what they need to work on if they want to get better. A lot of them are out of contract. Cook, Forde, Baxendale and Romaine.
"It is a massive season for them because we are determined to move forward and they need to improve if they want to come along as well."
Smith also expects talented youngsters Liam Kinsella, Jordan Murphy, Rico Henry and Reece Flanagan to kick on next season.
"They are all in that same boat where they have all made a number of appearances last season," he added.
"I think Reece might have made 18, Rico Henry has made 10, Liam Kinsella five, Jordan Murphy has got on and Matt Preston - he needs to start competing with the centre-halves at this club to get a place.
"It is a big season for a lot of them but it's good we have so many coming through."
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have released former Saddlers winger Emmanuel Ledesma.
The 27-year-old was nicknamed the 'Black Country Messi' after enjoying temporary spells at the Banks's in 2011 and 2012 with Smith known to be an admirer of the Argentinian trickster.
* Sawyers scored for St Kitts and Nevis as they drew 2-2 at home to El Salvador in the first leg of their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier.
He netted his side's second goal before they were pegged back by an 86th minute equaliser. The away leg will take place on June 16.
