Odds tumble on Jon Whitney getting Walsall job

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on Jon Whitney being named the next permanent manager of Walsall following a flurry of bets.

Whitney, who replaced the sacked Sean O'Driscoll in March, was priced as the 2/1 favourite with Sky Bet on Monday.

But yesterday those odds tumbled with the 45-year-old former physio now as short as 1/5 on.

Whitney impressed in two caretaker spells in charge of the Saddlers last season, winning nine out of 13 games in League One.

That form cemented Walsall's place in the play-offs.

But they were unable to go on and achieve their dream of winning promotion to the Championship after they were defeated by Barnsley in the semi-final.

If appointed, Whitney looks certain to offer a new contract to coach Dean Holden whose deal with the Saddlers expired at the end of the campaign.

The news will also be met positively by supporters with a staggering 89 per cent of them saying they want to see Whitney appointed to the role in the Express & Star's end-of-season survey.

Whitney revealed on Saturday that he expects his future to be resolved in the coming days.

But while keen to stay on as boss, the former defender also refused to rule out a head of performance role.

Meanwhile, Romaine Sawyers finished in sixth place in the PFA Fans' League One Player of the Season award.

The award was won by ex-Saddler Will Grigg who picked up 9,680 votes and finished narrowly ahead of Millwall forward Lee Gregory, who received 9,520.

Gillingham's Bradley Dack finished third in the poll, ahead of Shrewsbury midfielder Sullay Kaikai.

Swindon striker Nicky Ajose was one place ahead of Sawyers in fifth.