The Big Kick-Off: Mat Sadler’s busy summer has brought fresh hope at Walsall
The mood at Walsall has been totally transformed after a summer of sweeping changes.
Walsall released 11 players in May, and have introduced 10 new faces to spearhead their squad rebuild.
The Saddlers finished in the bottom half of the fourth-tier for the third season on bounce last term, but fans will be praying that a new season will bring fresh hope.
Sadler has acquitted himself well since being handed the reins, and has regained the supporters’ trust with his open communication, positive pre-season results and a productive summer transfer window.
The return of Danny Johnson was a particular coup. He scored 15 goals in 30 matches last term, and was responsible for 40 per cent of Walsall’s goals in League Two across the first 24 matches.
His departure coincided with a drastic drop in form, but Sadler has not left the goalscoring responsibilities solely on Johnson’s shoulders.
