Anton Peterlin to accept Walsall deal
Monday 25th July 2011, 10:00AM BST.
Walsall today completed the eighth signing of this summer of change with midfielder Anton Peterlin accepting a one-year contract from the club.
The 24-year-old American trialist won his battle to convince manager Dean Smith he was worth a spot in a squad being dramatically and rapidly overhauled by the Saddlers boss.
Peterlin figured in last week’s demanding friendlies against Wolves and Villa and, allied to his work in training, did enough to persuade Smith to offer the contract.
Although talks were initially focused on a six-month agreement, manager and player met again today and shook hands on a season-long agreement, which will be finalised when the former Everton and Plymouth player completes the formalities of his medical.
Smith said: “Anton has got fitter as time has gone on and I think he can be good for us.
“He finds little pockets in play where he can use the ball – and he uses the ball well. He also covers the ground and has played well with both Richard Taundry and Adam Chambers alongside him.
“He will be a very useful addition.”
Walsall’s players were given the weekend off after their exertions against Wolves and Villa while Smith went to check on the club’s youngsters in their behind-closed-doors friendly against Blue Square Premier outfit Nuneaton, which finished in a 3-0 defeat.
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Didn’t think Dean would sign him but he noes best..
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Impressed me against the Wolves. If Deano can keep him hungry, he’ll be a good signing.
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Surprised at this signing to be honest. I guess he will mainly be used as cover seeing as they were trying to reach a six month agreement rather than a season.
After speaking to a Plymouth fan over the weekend i will be surprised if Peterlin becomes a regular figure in our line up.
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This is the first sign of a bit of desparation from Deano in my book. Wasn’t impresed with him last week, maybe there was a fitness factor but he doesn’t seem to have the quality that we need in the squad. I hope I’m wrong but I just get the feeling here that this is a ‘making up the numbers’ signing as we’ve missed out on a couple of targets over the last few days. UTS.
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Played very well against wolves.. Steady signing !!!!
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Agree with Matt, but as long as we can keep Taund’s and Chambers fit and firing, then I guess Peterlin will be only used for impact or to replace tired legs!
Liked the look of Gnakpa aggainst Villa, big strong and able to both hold the ball and run with it………although he plays on right, I would like to see him in midfield at some point, or maybe even up front? We don’t have anything quite like him at the club, so well done Deano with his signing!
On the whole, the squad feels more mature this season, with Beevers, Sadler and Gnakpa added.
Not sure where E&S were the last few seasons when Saddlers have changed 10-15 players every year?………….Changing more than half the squad has become an annual event doen the Banks’s. Needs must in these ‘tight’ times.
Good additions me thinks!
Well done Deano for spending your budget wisely!
Bring L’Orient! UTS!
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We may have numbers to start the season with and hopefully Dean can mold them into a team. We we lack a proper striker and a class act in midfield. I suppose we might get lucky in the loan market again and maybe Dean is a miracle worker but the signings so far simply reflect the fact that class players do not wish to come here and we may well regret the loss of Matt Richards, who scored some useful goals as well as being an ever present in midfield, and Julian Gray who, even though a winger, scored more than our strikers. As ever we start the season with hope but without much expectation from journeyman footballers.
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