Walsall fans want Erhun Oztumer to stay

The creative schemer has proved a revelation at the Banks’s Stadium ever since being snapped up from Peterborough in June last year.

Oztumer ended the 2016/17 campaign as the Saddlers top scorer after netting a career best 15-goals.

But that has led to the 25-year-old being watched by a host of clubs with boss Jon Whitney revealing last month his talisman is yet to sign a contract extension currently on the table.

That means the Walsall hierarchy have to decide whether to cash in now or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer when his initial two-year deal comes to an end.

But in the Express & Star end of the season survey, fans voted overwhelmingly in favour of keeping Oztumer at the Banks’s.

Asked whether Walsall’s number 10 should stay or leave, 72 per cent said the board should keep hold of him.

While 28 per cent fans said the Saddlers should cash in – with the club not in a position to allow him to leave for nothing.

As well as wanting Oztumer to stay, supporters also named the former Dulwich Hamlet man as their player of the year.

Jason McCarthy was presented with the official award at a ceremony held after Walsall’s end of season clash against MK Dons.

But it was Oztumer who topped the Express & Star poll after receiving 53 per cent of the votes.

He was followed by McCarthy who obtained 40 per cent with Neil Etheridge and Joe Edwards making up the numbers with five per cent and two per cent respectively.

Supporters also voted on which loan player they would most like to see boss Whitney re-sign this summer.

Southampton loanee McCarthy, who is set to leave the Saints on a free transfer this summer, topped the poll with a substantial 68 per cent of vote.

Scott Laird came in second place with 15 per cent closely followed by Celtic’s Eoghan O’Connell who finished on 14 per cent.

George Dobson received three per cent of the vote.

In total, 80 per cent of supporters said they feel the club needs to sign between four and six players this summer in order to be competitive in League One next year.

Fans have also urged Whitney to snap up some strikers with 68 per cent of those polled say attack is where the squad needs strengthening most.

Off the field, 52 per cent of fans said they were happy with ticket prices at the Banks’s Stadium.

However, 55 per cent of the 740 people who took part felt lowering prices would help generate more season ticket sales.

Saddlers fans are also content with the club’s policy of developing young players in order to achieve success.

In total 53 per cent of supporters said they were happy with the club’s youth policy while 32 per cent said more of a balance is needed.

Only 15 per cent of fans polled said the club needs to spend more money on transfers to compete.

One area the club will hope to improve is the match day atmosphere with a huge 68 per cent of people saying it needs to be better.

Only 13 per cent of fans rated the atmosphere inside the ground as good while 19 per cent compared it to a library.

One way the club could look to improve the mood inside the Banks’s is by introducing a safe standing area with 74 per cent believing that would be a positive move.

Despite the lack of atmosphere, 61 per cent of fans said they will still attend the same amount of games next season – while 9 per cent will attend more.