Walsall manager Darrell Clarke labels season as 'below average'

After being appointed as manager in May, the 42-year-old has undergone a mixed first half of the season.

Clarke overhauled his squad with 16 first team signings, with many of them needing time to settle in.

And when asked how he would sum up his first seven months in charge, Clarke gave a candid response.

"Below average," he said.

"I'd have liked to be higher up the table, but I think there's a lot of things that have gone against us.

"But we're not going to cry about that, we're going to get on with it and keep building.

"I like to think I'm as honest as they come and I think there's a lot of areas where me and my staff need to get improvement out of our players."

And as he prepares to guide the club into the new decade, Clarke is adamant that he needs time to create a promotion-chasing team.

"It doesn't happen overnight, building a successful team," he added.

"I've been in the fortunate position that I've done that with two football clubs and it takes a bit of work.

"A lot of things go into that which we won't be able to fit into a five minute interview.

"For me it's the consistency levels and getting a group that could be challenging for promotion.

"That's what we're building to and my staff are working hard.

"Along the journey one or two will fall by the wayside, that's football.

"They'll be players we have to improve and turn into better players.

"I think we're doing that already, there's been a lot of positives already.

"Players coming through the system that are playing regularly, getting opportunities.

"But one or two as well that I like in the youth team that will hopefully get an opportunity from now until the end of the season.

"On the whole I think things are bright and moving in the right direction.

"But we have tough games coming up, it's a tough old league and they'll be plenty of time for players to impress over the coming period."