Express & Star

Sam Parkin: Walsall can target higher finish

Former Walsall striker Sam Parkin believes the club should be aiming for a higher League Two finish next season, but he does not expect a promotion charge.

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The Saddlers’ first season back in League Two ended in a 12th place finished – after it was curtailed due to the coronavirus.

It was a campaign of ups and downs and although EFL on Quest pundit Parkin believes the optimism around the club is a positive, he says it will be tough for Walsall to achieve promotion in the 2020/21 campaign.

“Darrell tries to play attacking football if he can, with two up front, and he’s had some brilliant results with good tactical acumen,” he said. “But with Darrell you can’t get too carried away with the philosophy. He likes to be organised and have his team work hard and that is the nuts and bolts of it.

“He likes good professionals and he relies on the good characters that he knows.

“It’s about longevity with him, given what he did with Bristol Rovers.

“He needs next season and see if he can improve the home record.

“The feeling is pretty good among the fans and that is imperative for the team on the pitch to get results.

“They need to be pulling in the same direction and focusing on what is happening on the pitch. If that can happen at the start of the next season, then I’m optimistic they can have a much higher finish, but on the face of it I’d be lying if I was predicting a promotion campaign.”

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