A lot has happened to Walsall FC in the last year...
From running out on the hallowed turf at Wembley, to fighting for automatic promotion from League One – a year is a very long time in football. A lot has changed at Walsall since they ended their 127-year wait to play at the world's most iconic stadium, here JOE MASI looks at five of the biggest.
Dean Smith has gone
Without doubt the biggest change at the Banks's arrived when the man who masterminded the run to Wembley opted to move into the Championship with Brentford. Smith was influential in implementing the club's philosophy that has allowed them to compete in League One on a shoestring. His departure hurt fans who were disappointed he didn't stay and take the Saddlers into the Championship. If Walsall do go up though, there is no doubt Smith will deserve a lot of the credit.
New Recruits make a big impact
It was a huge surprise in the summer when the club opted to release the consistent Ben Purkiss. The departure of player-of-the-year Richard O'Donnell also left a gaping hole to fill. But the arrival of flying full-back Jason Demetiou has brought another dimension to the Saddlers' attacking play. And in Neil Etheridge, Walsall have unearthed another goalkeeping gem who is, without doubt, one of the best in the league.
The Board has got tough
For too long, Walsall had been seen as a soft touch in the transfer market with their rivals believing they could cherry-pick their stars. But now the Saddlers hierarchy has shown it means business. They promised no star players would be sold in January and when it was clear things weren't working out under Sean O'Driscoll, they quickly moved the manager on despite the fact he has only been at the club for 11 weeks.
Goals Galore
Right form the outset, Walsall made it clear they were going on the offensive. Whereas last year they relied too much on Bradshaw, now goals are coming form all over the park. This time last year, the Saddlers had scored 36 league goals. They currently have 57.
Jeff Bonser backs at the Banks's
Walsall's chairman has endured a difficult relationship with Saddlers fans with the departures of Scott Dann and Danny Fox four years ago particularly hard for supporters to take. A self-imposed exile saw Bonser failed to attend a home game for five years. But he returned to the Bank's for the opening day clash with Oldham. And he has since won fan praise with the departure of O'Driscoll as well as keeping his promise to hold on to Walsall's best players in January.
