Saddlers Social: Walsall fans have their say

Nick Etheridge

Credit where it's due. Following victory over Plymouth, the signs for the remainder of the season aren't anywhere near as bad as most Saddlers (myself included) thought they would be.

Although it's slightly worrying the majority of our signings are loans, Jon Whitney certainly knows how to pick a player.

Again, it's early days, but rather than being in limbo about the style of football he wants to play, it seems he's settled on something that suits us and has got the personnel to make the best of it.

I thought a debut goal from Dan Agyei and another Erhun Oztumer stunner took the attention away from the excellent Kory Roberts on Saturday, who although still looks very raw, handled himself excellently.

It backs Whitney's stance of not pursuing Matt Preston, although I still question his decision to let go Jimmy O'Connor.

Tom Miner

After two goal scoring debuts in two weeks, the loan signings of Tyler Roberts and Dan Agyei might be the most eye catching of the window for most fans.

However, after seeing James Wilson’s performance against Plymouth last weekend, his contribution towards a rock solid defence could be the most important.

As well as his aggression at the back, his forays into the Plymouth half gave me déjà vu, as if I had gone back in time 10 years to watch Scott Dann as he dribbled past five Rochdale defenders before smashing it in the bottom corner.

Throwing James O’Connor and Matt Preston on the scrapheap seemed a hasty decision a few weeks ago, but now looks wiser and wiser by the day.

Pete Green

Patience, is not always something fans, including myself, have.

But five weeks into the season and the doom and gloom that was hovering over our manager and the lack of transfer activity, is certainly beginning to lift.

Saturdays solid home win, was further evidence of how a Jon Whitney team, after all, may just be the real deal.

It has the blueprint for any side looking to do well in League One. Commanding, physical centre backs, genuine pace, width, creativity and now, all of a sudden, some really exciting attacking options and goals.

Whitney has quietly gone about his business and built what seems, at this stage, quite an impressive, balanced and well drilled squad.

In Whitney we trust? He may have his doubters, but let's stick with him and see where he can take us.

Richard Kendrick

I feared the worst for the first five games this season, but credit where it’s due, it’s been a decent start.

The recent loan signings of Tyler Roberts, Dan Agyei and Zeli Ismail have been really encouraging.

I was very impressed with Agyei against Plymoth. His link up play with Amadou Bakayoko looked like they’d played together for years – something that the latter and Simeon Jackson haven’t shown at all in 12 months.

They have the potential to be a great centre-forward partnership, one that really strikes fear into the oppositions’s defence.

We have a strong look to our team this year, no one’s going to bully us and the hoof ball of last season has changed into a direct, but more entertaining style of play.

Dan Gilbert

The win over Plymouth has filled me with more confidence than any result so far this season.

I thought for other than the first 10 minutes we were the better side and we actually looked a really good, well balanced side and everybody knew their roles and did them very well.

I was a bit disappointed not to see Zeli Ismail make an appearance but at least we got to see Dan Agyei and he was very impressive, he's so strong on the ball, and someone that I hope Ama Bakayoko will learn from.

That said, since Jon Whitney's change in tactics, Baka is probably the most improved player. He looks transformed and it's great to see!

Onto Bristol Rovers, let's keep up this refreshing positivity and get something!

Kevin Paddock

Another week and another good result and performance - is the tide turning?

Got to give credit when it's due, Jon Whitney wanted the game on, got it tactically spot on and won us the game when we could have buckled. I know we are yet to play a team in the top half but the signs are positive.

James Wilson was phenomenal on Saturday and with Nicky Devlin and Luke Leahy also performing our defence is probably the best it's been for sometime.

We have six tough games coming up, four away from home - if we can get through those with at least eight points then we can certainly forget about relegation and look upwards rather than down!

Also if you haven't had chance yet subscribe to Wednesbury Road on YouTube for Walsall's very own Fan TV!