It is now a week since the retained list was announced, with many fans wondering what the summer’s recruitment will look like. So how many players do Walsall need? And what positions need filling to ensure the Saddlers have a balanced squad , for a more successful campaign.
Defence
With no recognised left back, Walsall will need to recruit two in this position. Melbourne was a steady player at this level and would make a good acquisition, but another left back to compete and continually push will be needed. This could come in the full of a Jules type centre back who can also play out on the left, as the side will need another centre back even if Scarr stays.
Leak will no doubt feature more, and Sadler will feature less, but another defender who can play in the middle and the left would help.
Assuming White extends his deal one more right back will be needed. Although White did improves as the season went on, he has not shown enough consistency to suggest he should be starting week in week out.
Midfield
With a lack of height and physical presence in the midfield, a taller stronger holding player is needed. It would allow Sam Perry the chance to push forward to help boost the creativity alongside Osadebe and a fit Rory Holden. Perry has shown glimpses that he can pick a pass, and offer something going forward.
Walsall desperately need wingers. Although Holden played well on either wing he is better centrally so two wingers on each side would provide competition and a healthy balance. Budget will dictate the type of player coming in but a younger prospect on each wing wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Budget may mean that three wingers are brought in, with a dedicated left and right, with another who can play on either side. With Holden and Osadebe, four may not be realistic, but with a lack of wide players in the last two years, Saddlers fans will want this rectified.
Strikers
With no recognised striker in the team at least three are needed to provide full coverage. Gordon and Lavery were similar types of striker and like the midfield, there was a lack of height up top. With a blank canvas, a mixture of players are needed.
One of the three has to be a taller, target man, capable of winning headers and holding the ball up. This was sorely missed when Adebayo left, and the long ball being played was ineffective.
With multiple attacking players needed, a striker who can play out wide may be on the cards too. On this, there may also be space for an academy player to break through, and get some time off the bench, or in the cups
Loans
Walsall must improve their loan recruitment. Fans don’t mind having loanees come in, but the players this season were panic signings, who did not play, or offer anything to the squad.
Out wide, and up top may be the places to get a younger player in, who can provide a backup, or rotation on the squad. As Walsall need multiple players here, a loan may allow them to take a chance on a player, or even re-sign the likes of Tyreik Wright, who showed he could perform at this level.
