Walsall Walkthrough: A look back at February 2020

A dramatic Northampton comeback

When Walsall found themselves 2-0 down at home to Northampton by half-time, it all looked pretty grim didn't it?

The 5-3-2 formation from the first-half was not working, at all. The wing-backs didn't push on enough and the flat midfield three of Nathan Sheron, Liam Kinsella and Stuart Sinclair struggled to create anything going forward, or link to the forwards.

At times, Walsall were set up in an 8-2 formation, they were that deep. On-loan West Brom forward Callum Morton struck twice and the Saddlers looked down and out.

I think the first Walsall goal, early in the second-half, is more important than people think. At this point the team were still playing 5-3-2 but all it took was one foray forward from Shay Facy and his cross was expertly headed home by Josh Gordon. 2-1 and game on.

Then the change to 4-2-3-1 came and for me, that has probably been Walsall's best formation this season. Gordon, although playing on the right wing, is able to drift inside with Rory Holden roaming in the number 10 role.

Walsall look far more fluid and threatening in this system and Danny Guthrie is able to get on the ball comfortably while playing in the two in midfield.

The midfielder then scored his first Walsall goal with a crossed free-kick that sailed all the way in, before the Banks's Stadium erupted for the winning goal in the 93rd minute.

Holden, who had been playing well since coming on, sprung a counter-attack with Wes McDonald, who passed the ball back to Holden – allowing him to (slightly fortuitously) net a late winner and his first in a Saddlers shirt.

The scenes were excellent among the supporters and the goal meant the world to Holden – on that second-half showing the team deserved it.

This moment highlights how Walsall have become more entertaining this season. They're starting to put on more of a show for their fans.

Elijah Adebayo and Rory Holden masterclasses

In both the comeback win over Northampton and the draw with Port Vale that followed, this pair were superb.

Starting with Adebayo, he has certainly come to life. Before these two games he had five goals – which in reality isn't a bad haul for a young striker who was struggling for consistency and game time.

He had the odd decent performance but was never able to build on it.

Against Northampton, when he was isolated up front, he still managed to make himself a nuisance. He was strong on the ball, rolled defenders well and looking threatening running at the defence.

In the second-half, with team-mates to support him, he was marvellous. All he needed was a goal, which came a week later against Port Vale.

Again, he was excellent against Vale. He netted his sixth of the season and was a menace all afternoon. The biggest positive was that he continued that fine form from the Northampton game and created some consistency – a good sign for the future.

After netting himself he then set up Josh Gordon for the second equaliser – while he should have had a second goal himself, but a world class save denied him.

With Holden – Darrell Clarke was quick to defend him and say that his good form has lasted much longer than these two games, and he's right.

The difference between the player at the beginning of the season and the man now is night and day. He's even put in some good performances in right-wing, where he previously struggled.

The number 10 role is easily his best position and after a good cameo against Northampton, he ran the show against Port Vale – particularly in the second-half.

A keen eye for a pass, pace and excellent ball control – he was superb.

While Holden is on-loan and may not return to Walsall, Adebayo is playing for his future and a new contract. It's important to note that they are both still only 22-years-old and more patience may be needed with them.

Rory Gaffney's loan deal is terminated

Rory Gaffney’s move away from the club came as a shock, mainly due to the timing, but in the end it is right for all parties.

It just never clicked for the Irishman in a Walsall shirt, and as a result he will likely go down as one of the club’s worst signings in recent memory.

In 22 appearances this season (25 if you include his three games for Salford in August), Gaffney has only managed one goal.

That came on November 2 in the 2-1 defeat away at Swindon.

When he first arrived in the Black Country, he put in a handful of decent displays.

He made his debut, off the bench, in the 0-0 draw with Coventry in the EFL Trophy and went on to look promising in several fixtures, including the 1-0 loss to Bradford in his second league game for the Saddlers.

Although he didn’t score in this time, he offered something different up front, a strong striker who could hold up the ball. He looked set up to be a success.

Slowly, but surely, he began to wilt, while consistently starting for the team.

In the 2-1 loss at home to Mansfield on October 26, the 30-year-old missed a handful of golden chances and many fans, if they hadn’t already, began to turn on him.

His goal against Swindon was sandwiched between the Mansfield game and the FA Cup fixture at home to Darlington.

In the 2-2 draw with the non-league side, Gaffney again missed a number of chances – including one where a rebound kindly fell his way and with the goalkeeper out of position, he shot first time and lashed it wide.

From there it seemed there was no way back for him and he had a spell out of the team.

His last Saddlers appearance came on January 7 against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy – after that he wasn’t seen again, with Darrell Clarke citing an Achilles injury as the reason for his omission.

The striker was targeting a comeback against Northampton two weeks ago, but it quickly became clear that a move to Shamrock Rovers was possible and, after sealing a deal with Salford, his loan spell at Walsall was over.

Although Gaffney’s time at Walsall was a failure, it has to be said that he worked hard – for the most part.

He regularly gave his all on the pitch, particularly at the beginning of the season – although some of his shifts towards the end of his spell lacked energy.

It’s also worth noting that his time at the Saddlers doesn’t make him a bad player overnight.

Walsall never got the best out of him and the fans never saw the best of him, but it doesn’t make him a poor professional.

By all accounts, he was a popular figure in the dressing room and staff at the club gave glowing reviews of him as a man.

Sadly, his loan spell at the club will be remembered for his displays on the pitch – and there are few fond memories for fans.

Now, the club has three first-team strikers and young talent vying for a chance – Gaffney’s move will likely open the door for the academy forwards.

Twitter Q&As

A small but nice touch from the club was the introduction of fan-to-player questions on Twitter.

So far James Clarke, Josh Gordon and Dan Scarr have taken part, and while it may seem like a small detail to some, it can only help the interaction with the fans.

That relationship with the supporters is crucial and I'm sure they appreciate the opportunity to ask whatever they like to a member of the squad – particularly through something as accessible as Twitter.

Leigh Pomlett has put a lot of focus on fan communication since taking over as chairman and with small details like this, that can only improve.