Walsall manager Darrell Clarke aims for promotion push next season

The club failed to bring in a right winger, despite Clarke identifying that as his main priority at the start of the window.

But the manager has revealed the 'inflated' market put him off and he's now focused on building a squad capable of promotion in the summer.

"For me, where we stand as a football club and where I stand, I thought the market for an experienced wide player was too much," he said.

"That's me personally and I think it's better to keep our ink dry and save a bit of money.

"Save the money until the summer because, trust me, I want to be building a massive promotion team for next year.

"This market is inflated and I'm certainly not going to risk the finances.

"The chairman was right behind what I was saying.

"By experienced I don't mean over the hill, if the right one came along who had played over 100 games I'd have taken him.

"I didn't want a loan, I'm not interested in a loan, I wanted a permanent.

"The lads that I did go in for, their clubs were only interested in a loan so it was a dead deal.

"We'll work and focus in the summer.

"I'll put the clubs best interest first and it gives me a little bit extra to spend in the summer.

"It gives lads opportunities, the younger lads - it will put us in good stead in the future."

An impressive first 45 minutes from the Saddlers was replaced with a poor second-half showing as Crewe fought back to win 2-1 on Saturday.

And Clarke is looking at Crewe as a model to build his side on – despite being disappointed at his side missing a 'massive opportunity'.

"You look at the likes of Crewe and he (David Artell) has had a good time with the squad now," he added.

"He's doing a cracking job now and that's what you get.

"That's what we'll get with our club and my players as we tweak along the way.

"It's been a disastrous week and it's a missed opportunity massively.

"We put more pressure on ourselves with the last two results and we have to learn from that.

"We'll pick up as many points between now and the end of the season to build a proper challenge next season."