With less than a week to go, it is the time of year where we all make our bold predictions for the season ahead. Last year, I predicted Cheltenham to win the league, and Adebayo to be top scorer, however the prediction that Oldham would go down, and Walsall and Vale would be promoted were a little wayward.
Where will we finish?
Matt Taylor has given everyone one thing, hope. The fans enter the season knowing that a 19th place finish should not be repeated. I am quite optimistic, however we have been here before in League Two with a new manager and a new squad, and it didn’t work out.
I do look around at the league and think that Walsall can finish in the top 10. However, there are a couple more big additions that need to be made before that, as the squad is a little thin on the ground especially up top and out wide. Defensively, the Saddlers look like they could prove to be a solid unit, which will mean that the team won’t be reliant on scoring 2 or 3 goals each week to win a game.
Vital Verdict – 10th place with signs of improvement throughout the club.
Player of the season?
This is difficult to predict given the overhaul of the squad that has taken place. I think that Rory Holden will be an obvious contender with how talented he is on the ball. There will also be eyes on Conor Wilkinson especially if he can recreate his form from last season too.
However, I am going to go with a slight curveball in Ash Taylor. He has already shown a commanding presence in the heart of defence, and he looks like a good addition for the Saddlers. If he can be the heartbeat in defence, and help shut up shop, then he may well force himself into contention for Player of the Season.
Taylor’s experience will mean he is a presence and a leader on the pitch. Walsall have lacked with leaders throughout the team, however Taylor brings that in, even if he is not captain. This is another string to his bow that the fans will look at for player of the season.
Vital Verdict – If Ash Taylor can help keep the Saddlers from conceding then he will be a popular choice amongst the fans.
It’s a big season for?
Like with player of the season, this category is tough given that a lot of new players have joined. Hayden White had a mixed spell last season, and with a new deal, fans will want more consistent performances from him. However there is a player that has a bigger season ahead in my opinion.
Alfie Bates has a lot of competition in the middle of the park with the Labadie joining the club. He also has Sam Perry who will be chomping at the bit after breaking into the side last season. Add in Player of the Season Liam Kinsella, and the midfield looks strong.
Bates slipped down the pecking order at the end of the last season, meaning that the 21/22 campaign is one he must thrive in. We can all see how talented he is, but the competition for places is high, and someone will inevitable slip down the pecking order.
Bates is an extremely good player, especially at this level, and all fans can see him going on to bigger and better things. This season is a test of whether he can indeed hit the heights, and go from a player with a potential, to a star player in the side.
Vital Verdict – Bates has the quality, but has big competition this season. He will need a strong start if he wants to nail down a consistent spot.
Top Scorer?
At the moment, this is a two-horse race between Phillips and Wilkinson. Wilkinson joins the Saddlers after a good scoring season with Leyton Orient, where he netted 15 goals. Phillips joins with much potential, but not the goals behind him. Personally, based on these two players, I would have to say that Conor Wilkinson will end the season as top scorer.
Matt Taylor is still looking for another striker to come in and help fire Walsall up the table, and this player may well be the one who ends up as the top scorer. I don’t look at the side and see a top scorer from midfield, as Holden is usually the creator, however I think all fans would take a 15 goal a season player from anywhere on the pitch!
Vital Verdict – Wilkinson comes in off the back of a good season, I am backing him to continue that with us.
Where will we finish?
Last year I got very excited at the squad staying fairly similar, however that was quickly proven to be false optimism. This season, I am extremely happy with the quality of player that has been brought in, so the optimism is once again there.
Although I would love us to reach the play-off’s, I feel a 10th place finish is both respectable, and achievable for the team, providing they gel well. Taylor seems to have everyone pulling in the same direction, which is a good sign, and there is real excitement around the club. Walsall have signed some good proven players, as well as younger talented ones too. The blend of the team feels much better than recent years, and that is why a 10th place finish can be achieved.
Walsall fans can be the 12th man, and they have already showed that they are ready to back Matt Taylor, the team and Leigh Pomlett. Getting behind the team in the way that our fans can could help push the team up the table.
Vital Verdict – A good, talented and hungry manager with a balanced side that are good enough for the top half, and above that too.
Who will go up?
Salford are obviously the favourites, and not many people would bet against them getting promoted this season. I think that that it could finally be the year that Newport maintain a consistent season, and keep in the top 3. They have mixed things up at the club, and this could be the thing that pushes them a couple of places higher.
From those that have been relegated, I think that Northampton could be in the mix, as they are the most together unit that has come down. Finally, I think that Exeter can also push to finally get the promotion they have been seeking for a few seasons.
Vital Verdict – Newport, Northampton and Salford to go automatically, with Exeter through the play-off’s.
Who will go down?
Things are not looking good at Swindon. They have suffered a dreadful pre-season where they fielded seven trialists in their only game against a professional side. They will no doubt get the players through the door, however they will be a few games behind the rest of the league and could struggle to catch up if they get caught adrift.
The other team is going to be tough to predict, however Scunthorpe have been down in the lower reaches for a couple of seasons now, and they need to improve if they want to do anything other than be a lower third team.
Vital Verdict – Swindon and Scunthorpe to battle to stay up, but ultimately miss out.
