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Stefan Gamble confident of Walsall promotion push

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Chief executive Stefan Gamble believes Walsall can go one better and win promotion to the Championship next season.

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Despite a string of eye-catching displays, the 2015/16 campaign ultimately ended in disappointment for the Saddlers as they finished third in League One – just one spot outside the automatic promotion places.

Jon Whitney's men then suffered play-off agony after losing to Barnsley.

This time last year, Gamble went on record to say he believed Walsall would be serious contenders in the promotion race. And he remains equally confident for the 2016/17 campaign.

"Yes, because of what we've achieved this season," Gamble said when asked if he believes the Saddlers will compete at the top end of League One again.

"I'm sure players will move on and others will come in but the philosophy at the club has been built up over a number of years and there's no reason why we can't sustain another promotion push and who knows, even go one better.

"At the start of every season the aim has to be to get promoted, whether that's through the automatic places or the play-offs.

"I think last season we showed as a club how ambitious we are and we'll look to continue that into the new campaign." Meanwhile, Gamble admitted the reason why Walsall have so many players out of contract is that many wanted to see what division the Saddlers would be in next season before signing new terms.

Romaine Sawyers, Jason Demetriou, Sam Mantom, Anthony Forde and Milan Lalkovic are just some of the players who are yet to sign contract offers that sit on the table.

"It's not all about the club wanting to sign players on contracts, the players have also got to want to sign a contract with the club." Gamble added.

"Players have held out to see which division we are in before they commit their future."