Manager Darren Clarke has now begun to build the squad that hopefully will be a promotion contender this upcoming season. And with the right additions, I think we have a good shot to achieve that this season.
Last week left wing-back George Nurse was brought in from Bristol City on a season-long loan and this week we welcomed the news about Rory Holden coming back on a permanent deal also from Bristol City. A signing which was much appreciated by the Saddlers fans.
I’m delighted that Holden is back at Walsall. His form was getting better and better with every match he played last season and it was unfortunate that the season was postponed. I hope he can continue where he finished last season and be one of the players who carry Walsall to promotion next season.
I was rather surprised when the news came that we have signed Holden on a permanent deal and even paid a fee for him. I would have thought a loan would be the option we go for but this time the club came out
The season starts in one month and more additions are needed to be ready for the season.
We need a goalkeeper to compete with Liam Roberts for the role as the first-choice keeper, a right fullback with Cameron Norman the only right-sided defender at the moment. In an emergency, James Clarke could play there but that is not an option for me. Clarke should play centrally and only centrally. We also in desperate need of a right-sided midfielder with the only choice there is Cameron Norman or Josh Gordon but I don’t see any of them as wingers. A left-sided midfielder should be welcomed but not a priority over the above-mentioned positions. Centrally in midfield, we have good enough players to begin the season which is also the same for the striker department. One more addition here would be welcomed but could be added later via loans.
The current squad is as follow:
Goalkeepers
Liam Roberts
Right Fullback
Cameron Norman
Left Fullback
George Nurse
Callum Cockerill-Mollett
Central Defence
James Clarke
Dan Scarr
Mat Sadler
Zak Jules
Tom Leak
Right Midfield
Jack Nolan
Left Midfield
Wes McDonald
Central Midfield
Danny Guthrie
Liam Kinsella
Stuart Sinclair
Alfie Bates
Rory Holden (maybe more suited as an attacking midfielder)
Joe Willis
Sam Perry
Strikers
Caolan Lavery
Josh Gordon
Elijah Adebayo
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash