Walsall are now 10 league games into their season, which provides the first real opportunity to compare the start they have made compared to last season, and to see the difference that Matt Taylor has made.
Points make prizes?
It is safe to say that Walsall have not had the best start to the season when looking at the table, and the points haul. At the moment, Walsall are say in 21st place, with a total of just nine points. This has come from two wins, three draws and five defeats. Rewind to the same point in the 20/21 season, and Walsall had a very different start.
Last season, Walsall had amassed 12 points, which is three more than the team have at present, however the big difference is that last season, Walsall had only lost once. They were the draw specialists, but only three points better off. Those points saw them six places better off in the league.
Despite the slow start this time around, Walsall are only a win off of last season. Obviously the comparison to the lowest league finish is not what fans will want, but it is the best way to see whether the new era is performing well or not.
How are Walsall doing in both boxes?
Goals are the most important part of any football match, so how are Walsall doing in each box compared to this time last season. Under Darrell Clarke, it always was a struggle to see where the goals were going to come from. After 10 games, Walsall had totalled 11 goals. This season, it seems that Walsall are creating a lot of chances, but the same as last year, they have scored 11. This season, it has been clear that there has been an improvement on chances created, and the quality of them too, however at present, Walsall haven’t improved on their goal tally.
Conceding goals is Walsall’s big problem this season, particularly ones from set pieces, or crosses. Fans have grown more frustrated at the defending in matches, as well as the number of penalties that are being conceded too. Last season, Walsall had seen 11 goals go against them, however this season, this has increased to 15 goals.
It is clear to everyone that Matt Taylor needs to rectify the number of goals conceded. The attacking players are performing, and Walsall are fairing up well in the league at present for goals scored.
What about the cups?
Two of the three cup competitions have already started and are well under way. Like last season, Walsall fell at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup, although both times they have faced teams in the leagues above. In the EFL Trophy, Walsall have already improved on their points haul compared to last season, and it should see them progress into the next round. Although it isn’t the competitions fans want to see Walsall doing the best in, at the moment, it is a welcome distraction for the league, and is being used for the two main reasons that fans will agree upon, fitness and prize money.
The FA Cup has been poor for Walsall in recent years. The draw for the first round is rapidly approaching, and fans will hope that they can try and push for the third round. This will be another thing that Taylor is judged on, especially given the financial state if Walsall do draw a big club, televised match, and of course, prize money.
