Express & Star

‘First-class’ Mat Sadler has big impact at Walsall

Walsall assistant manager Brian Dutton has heaped praise on player-coach Mat Sadler for his ‘refreshing’ move into the backroom staff set-up.

Published
Last updated

The club exercised their option in the summer to keep the 35-year-old centre-back at the club, moving him into a coaching role as Marcus Stewart left the club.

Sadler has only played once so far this season, in the EFL Trophy against Chelsea Under-21s, but Dutton has been impressed with his application off the field.

“He’s been excellent,” Dutton said.

“Sometimes you can tell from your playing days who’s going to be a coach and who’s going to be a manager and Mat Sadler falls into that bracket.

“He’s very attentive, he’s astute and studies the game. He’s been refreshing to have in and around the changing room with his new ideas and that player-coaching connection that he brings. You see his performance (against Chelsea), it was first class. That’s what Sads will do, he’ll come from the coaches’ room onto the pitch and you wouldn’t know any different. He’s a first class pro, applies himself and still brings that quality to the first team.”