With Brian Dutton leaving Walsall yesterday, and the retained list coming out today, it has been a busy couple of days at the club. With no manager, and a threadbare squad, up steps Jamie Fullarton, who will be leading the charge to reshape Walsall FC, and he now has a pretty blank canvas to do it with.
Jamie tasked with a challenge
Since his appointment on 13th April, Fullarton has been a presence waiting to step into the fold. He has been there in the background, attending games, analysing the club, the players, and the infrastructure in place. Fullarton will have started forming a plan of action to get the club performing better, and now he has a chance to bring someone in who can help him exercise that plan.
Leigh Pomlett eluded to a different type of managerial search that will take place. Instead of a process where 50-100 people apply for the role, it will be led by Fullarton, who will go out and approach people who he thinks fit the bill. This will be led by the new Technical Director, who will use his and the boards vision as a description to work with.
It is one of the biggest managerial appointments in the clubs history, and one that has to be right. With Pomlett taking a backseat role, the pressure will be on Jamie. It seems like the right move for Pomlett to allow someone else to take the lead, especially after admitting that Fullarton was the football brain.
New players
After today’s culling, Fullarton has had his first big influence. The squad is now looking very light on the ground, and a big recruitment drive will be needed. Fullarton will be tasked with a big part of the recruitment, and surely he has players in mind, given the number who have been released.
The squad is lacking some experience now, with the likes of Clarke and Sinclair leaving. On top of that, players who are younger, but experienced, like Gordon, Lavery and Norman, all depart. Given his background in bringing in younger players, Fullarton will need some proven and experienced pro’s coming too, as the youngsters will need that guidance behind the scenes.
To find a new manager, and start a big recruitment drive too, is throwing Fullarton in at the deep end. Not everyone he brings to the club will work out, that’s football. But if he can bring in the right person at the top, and get a core of players to add to what Walsall have, then a corner will have been turned.
No pressure Jamie!
I really hope that it works this time. But bringing in so many players plus new manager again can only be the same result, my only worry is that we can avoid relegation this time round. Its a big ask for players and manager to work together, they need time to get it right and by the time they do will the season will be more or less over.
I can’t see a relegation fight being on the cards. I feel a stable mid-table finish with signs off a good team will be a good season
Had to happen,worst performances over a season I’ve ever seen.
If the club had stuck with that lot the support would have drifted away with no enthusiasm to come and watch.
Very true. The turnover was needed, especially as a lot of the ‘regulars’ were responsible for a poor 19th place finish!