Walsall v County: Match Thread (12/08/2023)
Aug 8, 2023 11:21:09 GMT
dudleyhatter, ceefer, and 1 more like this
Post by autistichatter on Aug 8, 2023 11:21:09 GMT
So what can we say about Walsall hey?
Well they lost 2-1 to Morecambe on opening day for a start. They've always struck me as a bit of a companion club for County in that they have pretty loyal support but are overshadowed by more prominent local rivals.
Last season they were a bit "meh" overall - W 12 D 19 L 15 F 46 A 49 - seemingly hard to beat but not particularly strong. Their top scorer was Danny Johnson on 12 (15 in total)who was on loan from Mansfield but made the move permanent this summer. MF Isaac Hutchinson scored 5 and then it was just 1s, 2s and a 3 by Irish striker Conor Wilkinson - now of Motherwell.
They've been pretty active in the transfer market, as you would expect and some of the signings are eye-catching.
At the back they signed 6ft 3 Defender Priestley Farquharson (great name that!) who moved on from Newport County for a new challenge. The Defence has been further strengthened by the signing of ex-County D Chris Hussey and ex Alvechurch D Harry Williams as well as Ex-Wolves GK Jackson Smith who spent the second half of last season backing up Walsall's first choice GK Owen Evans. Captain Donervon Daniels signed a deal to keep him at the Bescot until 2025 after joining from Crewe in Jan 2022 (64 apps and 3 goals).
In MF they signed ex-Birmingham City Ryan Stirk to a two year deal. He'd previously spent 2021/2022 on loan at Mansfield, helping them to the playoffs. They have also signed MF Ross Tierney on season long loan from Motherwell. He describes himself as an energetic attacking MF who likes to link up with the strikers.
They've been most active up front though- last season's top scorer (and loanee from Mansfield) Danny Johnson returned on a two year deal and Douglas James-Taylor signed after leaving Stoke (he played 30 times for the Saddlers last term on loan from Stoke). Aramide Oteh signed a one year deal after leaving Crawley Town. They also signed Lincoln City's teenage striker Freddie Draper on a season long loan. He spent last season on loan at Drogheda scoring 8 times in 21 games.
All in all it looks like a pretty thorough job of strengthening in all areas. Last season they missed out on the playoffs by 20 points, whether these signings will be enough to cement them in the playoffs is an interesting question. There will certainly be plenty of other clubs with the same ambition and I expect Walsall to be competitive but maybe come up just short.
Anyway, Fingers Crossed.
Well they lost 2-1 to Morecambe on opening day for a start. They've always struck me as a bit of a companion club for County in that they have pretty loyal support but are overshadowed by more prominent local rivals.
Last season they were a bit "meh" overall - W 12 D 19 L 15 F 46 A 49 - seemingly hard to beat but not particularly strong. Their top scorer was Danny Johnson on 12 (15 in total)who was on loan from Mansfield but made the move permanent this summer. MF Isaac Hutchinson scored 5 and then it was just 1s, 2s and a 3 by Irish striker Conor Wilkinson - now of Motherwell.
They've been pretty active in the transfer market, as you would expect and some of the signings are eye-catching.
At the back they signed 6ft 3 Defender Priestley Farquharson (great name that!) who moved on from Newport County for a new challenge. The Defence has been further strengthened by the signing of ex-County D Chris Hussey and ex Alvechurch D Harry Williams as well as Ex-Wolves GK Jackson Smith who spent the second half of last season backing up Walsall's first choice GK Owen Evans. Captain Donervon Daniels signed a deal to keep him at the Bescot until 2025 after joining from Crewe in Jan 2022 (64 apps and 3 goals).
In MF they signed ex-Birmingham City Ryan Stirk to a two year deal. He'd previously spent 2021/2022 on loan at Mansfield, helping them to the playoffs. They have also signed MF Ross Tierney on season long loan from Motherwell. He describes himself as an energetic attacking MF who likes to link up with the strikers.
They've been most active up front though- last season's top scorer (and loanee from Mansfield) Danny Johnson returned on a two year deal and Douglas James-Taylor signed after leaving Stoke (he played 30 times for the Saddlers last term on loan from Stoke). Aramide Oteh signed a one year deal after leaving Crawley Town. They also signed Lincoln City's teenage striker Freddie Draper on a season long loan. He spent last season on loan at Drogheda scoring 8 times in 21 games.
All in all it looks like a pretty thorough job of strengthening in all areas. Last season they missed out on the playoffs by 20 points, whether these signings will be enough to cement them in the playoffs is an interesting question. There will certainly be plenty of other clubs with the same ambition and I expect Walsall to be competitive but maybe come up just short.
Anyway, Fingers Crossed.
