TEAM PREVIEW: Walsall – Mick Kearns believes Saddlers can make the play-offs

 

Walsall didn’t win any of their first six league games last season and lost their final match 8-2 to champions Bristol City. Some inconsistent form around the turn of the year saw them safely in mid-table but Dean Smith will be hoping for much better form this season.

Last Season: League One (14th)

Manager: Dean Smith

 

Squad

GKs: Neil Etheridge, Craig MacGillivray, Liam Roberts
DFs: Jason Demetriou, Andy Taylor, James O’Connor, Paul Downing, Rico Henry, Matt Preston, Levi Rowley, Kyle Rowley
MFs: Adam Chambers, Sam Mantom, Romaine Sawyers, James Baxendale, Anthony Forde, Reece Flanagan, Kieron Morris, Liam Kinsella
FWs: Tom Bradshaw, Jordan Murphy, Amadou Bakayoko, Jordan Cook, Milan Lalkovic

 

Transfers

In: Jason Demetriou (Anorthosis Famagusta), Neil Etheridge (Charlton Athletic), Milan Lalkovic (Barnsley)

Out: Malvind Benning (Mansfield Town), Ashley Grimes (Barrow), Jake Heath (Released), Richard O’Donnell (Wigan Athletic), Ben Purkiss (Port Vale), James Chambers (Retired)

 

First Six: Oldham Athletic (H), Southend United (A), Rochdale (A), Coventry City (H), Blackpool (A), Bury (H)

Likely Lineup: (4-4-2) Etheridge – Demetriou, Downing, O’Connor, Taylor – Morris, Chambers, Mantom, Sawyers – Bradshaw, Lalkovic

 

 

A word from…Mick Kearns

On having a close bond with the club Absolutely yes, I made the decision in 1973 when I was at Oxford. I wanted to get a move but I always wondered if it was the right choice.

I chose Walsall, discussed terms and you often wonder if it is right or not but it was the best move that I ever made. No question, it is the best club I played for despite three enjoyable years at Wolves from 79-82 where I thoroughly enjoyed my football but the majority of my years I enjoyed football was at Walsall.”

On inconsistency in the football league Oh yeah absolutely, it isn’t easy at all. You have to apply yourself and hope you do well.

You have to have luck there is no question. If you’re honest and successful you admit to the luck. You look back and pin point times where an opponent has hit the post or you got lucky.

Generally speaking, the work you put in, the endeavour from that point of view are the luckiest people anyway.
It is just like Gary Player when he said ‘the harder I practice, the luckier I get.’”

On importance of consistency as a goalkeeper Continuity in situations is important, there are various reasons why clubs don’t have that nowadays. Lower down it affects a lot more with the bosman ruling now in effect.

When your contract was up in those days you couldn’t move, you weren’t allowed to. I think it had a massive impact in lots of ways, players quite often disagreed over terms for the next contract, whereas nowadays you couldn’t move, now you can. In the players point of view it has been great.

It makes life difficult for clubs these days. We had a situation with Jimmy Walker. He exercised his right to move to another club, it would cost half a million to sign keeper of his standing. It works both ways but mainly it is for the players.”

On showing patience with the manager and players He is one of the longest serving managers in the Football League and that is great credit to the board and the owner.

We’ve had great managers in my time but this is the best pairing of a manager and assistant that we have had at the football club since 1973. Their ability to make younger and experienced players better is fantastic.
The main reasons why he has been successful is he is a decent bloke, treats players fairly and all the players have a lot of respect for him. When you have all of those, success is close.”

On Dean Smith’s job so far Excellent, with a bit of luck here or there, it’s difficult in this league, some of the clubs in this league have had a tremendous amount of resources but we are expected to compete. He has no problem with that, he is managing in a different way. He is getting the best out of his players.”

When you go out at the start of the season, the least Walsall should be looking to achieve is the play-offs. They should be looking at that top position and trying to get there and achieve.

In a realistic world the aim should be the play-offs. We are more than capable of doing that. I’m not sure if the clubs in this league this year, have the same resources like Wolves and Bristol City or have gone up in the past two years.

We have great team spirit great camaraderie in that dressing room and a lot of people working really hard to improve on last season.

I can see them getting into the play-offs. If we can really put ourselves in a position to get into the plays-offs, the club could really think about getting a few loan players in and really pushing.”

 

The Offside Rule Podcast Prediction: Walsall have a lost a couple of experienced faces this summer but have brought Milan Lalkovic back to the club. Walsall were safe in mid-table last season but they could be a team to watch this season.

Key Player: James O’Connor – There’s been a lot of changes at the back for Walsall this summer, so O’Connor’s experience and consistency will be vital in terms of communication, given a new goalkeeper will also be in place come August too.

One to Watch: Milan Lalkovic – Walsall is the only place the striker has scored a professional league goal and with some more experience behind him he could really hit some form if he starts the season well. Definitely one to follow.