Dean Smith hunts quick deals
Monday 23rd May 2011, 11:12AM BST.
Walsall chief Dean Smith was today eyeing quick deals for his summer rebuild.
The Saddlers boss is keen to wrap up his business and capitalise on the feelgood factor surrounding the club following their Great Escape.
Skipper Andy Butler has already penned a new two-year deal and Smith revealed in the Express & Star on Thursday goalkeeper Jimmy Walker is close to committing his future.
And the boss hinted he is poised to swoop for new faces in the next few days and put pressure on his squad.
“I’m back in today, Tuesday and Wednesday and I’m hoping to do something this week if not then it’ll be over the next week or two,” said Smith.
“It’s important you have people in so it gives others the idea of the strength we’ll have in the team, what they’re up against and how hard they’ll have to work to get into the side.
“I’m in talks with players at the moment and in contact with a number of agents who are pushing players. I’ve just had my free transfer list come through and there are a lot of players on there.”
Smith released nine men, including Darren Byfield and Clayton McDonald, and knows where he wants to strengthen.
“There are particular areas, we haven’t got a left back so we’ll be looking there and we’re a little short in midfield after the loan guys went back to their clubs,” he said.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
