Saddlers Blog Zone

To stay or not to stay?

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As we head towards the end of 2019, we have 3 players out of contract in January. Who do we think should stay and who do we think should go?

Wes McDonald –

There is no doubt that on his day he is one of the best and trickiest wingers in the league. He is maybe the only player in the current team that gets fans off their seats with his trickery.

With his goal last week against Chelsea U-21s, he has now scored 3 for the season, and has bagged a few assists too. If we are being honest, he could sometimes do a lot less on the ball, and maybe pick out a pass or cross (or even shoot) more than he does, however, if he did that more consistently, he would not be in league two.

Wes is certainly one we can develop and give a home too. He has played more games for Walsall this season than anywhere else he has ever played, and by some way too. So yes he isn’t anywhere near the finished article, but that’s what Walsall are there for, to nurture these players.

My fear with Wes is that clubs in a higher division may offer him a deal, and he will look at the league and position over what may be best for his development as we have seen many times before.

Vital Verdict – 18 month extension

Jack Kiersey –

The curious case of Jack Kiersey.

He was signed on what was said to be a short term deal, which I like, as I feel the club should look at younger players and have a contract to be able to not be stuck with them for a long time. He was 20 at the time of signing (now 21), and has a grand total of 2 professional league appearances in his career.

Apparently there have been injuries and setbacks for the lad, but he has barely featured, and when he has, he has looked less than impressive. Some may argue that he needs more game time, and that may be true, but the position Walsall are in doesn’t allow for players to get game time just to develop.

And it is on that point that I feel we have to let him go. Which is a shame because I have no doubt he is very talented. If Walsall were in League One, we would be in a position to loan him out and try and get him game time elsewhere to develop him, but we aren’t, and I feel that we must have a squad of players capable of playing in the first team.

Vital Verdict – Release

Luke Little –

Luke is a player I know very little (pun intended) about. He signed on a short term professional deal this summer after being here since 2014.

Luke is a Right-Back who was out on loan at Tamworth for a month, which was extended. He made a few sub appearances, but in his first start, he won MOTM with Tamworths joint-boss Gary Smith saying ‘He’ll be some player in the future’ (full article linked below).

It would appear that Luke is applying himself well on loan by the comments made in the article, with his attitude being praised too.

Personally, I think he should have an extension and be kept on loan at Tamworth for a while, and then hopefully a progression up the leagues.

Vital Verdict – Extend to the end of the season, with an option of an extra year.

So there is my opinion, will it happen? Who knows….

Luke Little article – https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hell-player-future-walsall-fc-17291612

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