Blog: Season's getting started for Saddlers

I don't quite know what to make of the Palace draw as we have an appalling record against them. It could've been so much better given we were one draw away from playing Man United, but equally it could have been a whole lot worse.

Anyway let's take a look at some of the comings and goings this pre-season. Hello to …

James O'Connor – has always seemed a decent player and he keeps up our ex-Doncaster quota.

Hopefully he won't be judged as a direct replacement for Andy Butler, as this would be a bit unfair.

As JOC is a different type of player to both JC and BP, I think generally we just have to get used to our back four having a different look about it this season. And obviously give it time too.

Tom Bradshaw - we don't tend to pick up too many ex-Shrews. If he does the business and (to use a horrible phrase) begins to show his true potential, then no one will mind where he's from.

A superb equalising goal against Vale to cap a good all-round display will do for starters.

Jordan Cook – returns and, as he made his Walsall debut in 2010/11, is he now technically our longest serving player?

I thought he made a good impact in that loan spell and made a decent contribution to keeping us up back then.

For whatever reason his career hasn't really kicked on since then and it was interesting to see Deano classing him as a striker.

Ashley Grimes – in many ways a typical Walsall signing, with a bit of a mixed bag of a career so far.

I've been impressed with what I've seen so far, Ashley looks an intelligent and creative player, Deano has praised his finishing skills too. A signing that could well be described as 'astute' in the coming months.

Billy Clifford – if it were possible to bottle a 25 minute debut off the bench and reuse it for every subsequent game then you'd want to do it for this fella.

On Saturday Billy was dynamite – a superb first touch with either foot, the ability to go past players and always looking to move forward.

And he's someone who only came in less than a fortnight ago. At the risk of jumping the gun, I'd say we need to get this lad on a longer contract and quick.

Anthony Forde – an interesting signing, the right age with maybe something to prove.

He's already played at this level for his previous club, so I hope he can learn to fit in to our style of play fairly quickly.

And he gets the chance to play in a League Cup Second Round tie now. Welcome aboard.

Craig MacGillivray – a highly rated young keeper to challenge ROD is a really welcome addition. Welcome and good luck guys.

The Returning

Despite being more on the ball with contracts and having abandoned the ridiculously flawed revolving door policy of fairly recent times, we still have to hold our breath when it comes to contract renewals.

Luckily deals were reached with Andy Taylor and James Chambers, who will provide experience and know-how at the back, especially important with the departure of Andy Butler. Welcome back both.

Interestingly reserve keeper Liam Roberts has been given a deal as (presumably) third choice keeper after initially being released last May.

It's probably a reflection of the financial restrictions that Dean Smith and his backroom staff work under and this is not meant to be a criticism merely an observation.

Some young players with potential will be shown the door when an extra year might be all they need.

So for this reason, bringing Roberts back is a brave call but one worth making.

Sod's Law will dictate that after Richard O'Donnell played every minute of every game last season, he will probably need back up at some point, so it could be a decision that pays off. Welcome home Liam.

The Departed

May 22nd was not a great day. Andy Butler's decision to not take up his contract offer, leading to his subsequent move to Sheff U was bad news.

Andy leaves mossive shoes to fill. He was a tremendous captain with superb leadership and organisational skills and a proper centre half.

His contribution on Tuesday 17th September 2013 blasted him into legendary status but the role he played in the Great Escape 2011 was probably his finest achievement.

It'll be painful to see Buts in a Blades shirt (and him a Wednesday fan too), playing in the same league as ourselves.

And while you can understand the lure of a club on the doorstep to someone who lives in South Yorkshire the fact is, geographically, we are still in the same place we've always been since he joined us in 2010.

Good luck Andy Butler, one of my all–time top ten Saddlers. Hope it goes well, but not too well.

Craig Westcarr is one of those players whose contribution to the team becomes more apparent now he's gone.

And this is someone who scored 15 goals for us last season! I always thought he did a decent job for us and Pompey could be a good move for him. Good luck to you Westy.

As for Febian Brandy well deary me, the boy seems to have learned zilch from the events of the last 12 months.

On paper upwardly-mobile Rotherham is a perfectly good move, but will he be anything more than a bench-warmer? It's unlikely.

While is that 'colourful character' Steve Evans blessed with a patient, nurturing side if all is not well with the diminutive Mancunian? I'd call it a fat chancer myself.

I'd sneakily hoped that we might see Milan Lalkovic again after his release from Chelski and that we'd beat off other League One clubs (and Rothrum) for his signature but it was not to be and he starts a new life in his neighbouring country. Good luck Milan.

Nicky Featherstone was a bit unlucky to be released and will be a good asset to someone. I always thought he did well for us in a 4-3-3 and he would have got into a lot of Walsall teams in the past. Good luck to you too Nicky.

PS I almost forgot Ashley Hemmings and Troy Hewitt (and them goalscorers at the Custard Bowl no less). Potential, didn't quite live up to it, hope they have decent futures.

Next time I'll look at some of the other early season happenings in WS1.