Today is deadline day! Although the free market will still be open, the club will be looking to tie up their business by potentially bringing in a loanee or two to bolster the ranks. So will it be a busy day for the Saddlers?
Two are needed
Walsall are looking extremely light up front at the present. With Shade and Holden on the treatment table, it means that only one attacking player is left on the bench, which simply is not enough to change a game. Out wide, Wilkinson and Phillips have been covering the right wing in Shade’s absence, but this is a key area Walsall need to recruit in. Kiernan has impressed on the left wing, and Shade looked bright on the right, but depth out wide is desperately needed, and many fans feel the same way.
With only two strikers, it leaves the Saddlers light up front, especially as those two players are in the squad, but adjusting their position. Alongside a wide player, Walsall need a striker too, as the depth is majorly lacking. The team simply haven’t scored enough goals this season, so a striker to help that along is needed.
There is a growing call for another defensive player to be brought in who can play at Left-Back. This is to reduce the demand on Stephen Ward who, at 36, cannot play every week, especially as the various cups begin. This may be a signing that the fans would like, but probably won’t happen as there has been no indication of the club looking for any other players than attacking ones.
Don’t repeat past failings
Walsall have a habit of making panic signings towards the end of a transfer window, and these players, especially the attacking signings, have left a lot to be desired. This cannot happen this time around. Leigh Pomlett has already spoken about not being wasteful in the loan market, so any that do come in from other clubs on loan must play, and must be at a sufficient standard.
Over the years, loan have come and gone, and sometimes they actually stay beyond the loan spell. Leigh Pomlett has shown this with the likes of Rose and Holden, and also spoke about Max Melbourne having a contract waiting for him if he played well. This must become the standard. Players like Rushworth and Shade won’t stay due to their talent and age, however others could be attainable come the end of the season, so having this in their loan deals will be something on Fullarton’s radar to not let the good players slip away.
Buy, loan or free?
Any transfers coming in will more than likely be loans. Walsall haven’t come out of covid too badly, however Leigh Pomlett is unlikely to splash the cash buying a couple of high profile players. In the last couple of days, it has been seen that many clubs are allowing players to terminate their contracts to move elsewhere, this allows them to move off the clubs wage bill, and the new club to not have to pay for them. This may be the case with Walsall, if a League One or League Two team want to reduce their spend.
The likely case will be loan signings. Where they will be from is not yet certain, although many will suspect Midland clubs or ones with links to Taylor and Fullarton may be the ones to help the Saddlers out. With the free market open beyond the close of the window, more signings are likely to be loans, however any permanent would be welcome as to not make the squad overly reliant on players not here beyond the end of the season.
Photo Credit – Walsall FC
