Fans' Survey: We want Jon Whitney as next Walsall boss

Jon Whitney has the overwhelming support of fans to become the next permanent Walsall boss, according to the Express & Star's survey.

The 45-year-old, who became interim head coach following the sacking of Sean O'Driscoll in March, helped guide the Saddlers to third in League One.

Whitney won nine of the 13 league games he took charge of in two spells as interim boss last season. But the 45-year-old couldn't mastermind victory in the play-offs with the Saddlers eventually slipping to defeat against Barnsley in the semi-finals.

Despite that disappointment, fans still see the 45-year-old as the man to take them forward.

A staggering 89 per cent of those polled said they believe Whitney together with coaches Neil Cutler and Dean Holden should remain in charge next season.

"Jon, Neil and Dean are exactly what the Saddlers need," said long-standing supporter Rod Grafton. "They are committed to doing their best for the club and to getting the best out of the players – whoever they may be.

"Mistakes will be made, but this is Walsall – League One at the moment – and they are only human."

Fellow supporter Cliff Own added: "Jon is the one for me. Nice refreshing change to have someone give an honest assessment of games. Also the statistics add up."

Adam Chambers was voted player of the season with the influential skipper comfortably finishing ahead of Romaine Sawyers and Jason Demetriou who were second and third respectively. But while Demetriou missed out on the overall award he did win the vote for the best summer signing with the Cypriot internationally, narrowly piping Neil Etheridge to the title.

Demetriou won the poll with 60 per cent of the vote.

Performance of the season went to Walsall's 5-0 thrashing of Port Vale on the final day on the 2015/16 campaign with Anthony Forde claiming goal of the year.