Loan Ranger

Despite using 5 goalkeepers last season – 4 of which who were loanees, manager Dean Smith today told Express and Star that if he needs to bring a goalkeeper in on loan again next season he will do so – although he would prefer our own permanent number 1.

Karl Darlow, Aaron Mccarey, Ian Mcloughlin and Sam Johnstone were all signed on loan last season following the poor form to permanent ‘keeper, David Grof and the injuries to Jimmy Walker.

Darlow, Mccarey and Mcloughlin were all recalled by their parent clubs and only Sam Johnstone (on loan from Manchester United) stayed for the duration of his loan deal.

Despite the goalkeeping crisis Walsall managed to hang onto their play-off chances upto their penultimate match.

Smith said ‘Ideally I would like a permanent keeper coming in. But if that wasnt possible and it was a loan it would have to be a season-long deak with no small clauses to give us stability in that position’