Walsall boss targets new loan raid
Tuesday 22nd February 2011, 10:55AM GMT.
Walsall manager Dean Smith has targeted another loan raid as he bids to plug the midfield gap left by Matt Gill.
The Saddlers boss is keen to boost his armoury ahead of the relegation run-in and the final 14 games of the season.
Norwich recalled the midfielder after his loan spell ended following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Colchester.
And Smith wants to replace the 30-year-old with the Saddlers just a point off League One safety after Plymouth called in the administrators.
He said: “We will have a look to see what’s out there. Matt Gill was fantastic in and around the dressing room and it was no coincidence we had a decent run with him in the team.
“I would like to thank Paul Lambert and Norwich for lending him to us but unfortunately they wanted him back for their promotion push.”
The manager also threw down the gauntlet to Paul Marshall and Richard Taundry to fill the void left by the popular Gill.
Marshall had been sidelined while Taundry is playing out of position on the right wing.
Smith said: “A space has opened up and it’s a challenge. I’ve been a player myself and that’s how I would see it.
“Hopefully Marshy or Richard will come knocking on the door to say ‘I want the job’ and start pushing their claims for a place.”
The Saddlers host Rochdale on Saturday as they bid to jump out of the drop zone for the first time in four months.
But Smith is keen to put the weekend’s controversial defeat, where Colchester were handed a debatable penalty, behind him.
He said: “Let’s hope it’s just a blip and we put in a good performance against Rochdale to get the three points. One thing I can say about the lads is that they keep going.
“Other times we could have lost by three, four or five.”
UK Sport
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Good luck in your search Deano !
I for one will be amazed if Marshall is up to the task of “stepping up”. Seldom have I seen a player look more out of his depth in the cut and thrust of a Div 3 relegation fight.
Surely a typical example of poor scouting where a weak player looks ok in premier reserve football and is signed up on what evidence he will ever make the grade…?
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Your manager was at our reserve game against Chelsea last night at Hinckley. He was there with an older guy in a Walsall FC managers jacket. I have to be honest I noticed the jacket rather than recognising either of them but seeing the picture above it was he.
Good luck with your fight to avoid relegation!
Grant AVFC
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grant avfc, thats nice to hear he is looking for local talent but lets be realistic, avfc are the reason teams like walsall are in the leagues they are. its hard bein over shadowed by bigger clubs on the door step that dont help you out EVER!! its about time the likes of aavfc,bbfc,wba and wolves started helping us i think
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