Express & Star

Comment: The fear of a Walsall future without 'Super' Tom Bradshaw

Published
Last updated

When Tom Bradshaw completes his inevitable move away from Walsall, he will become the eighth player to have left the club this summer.

more

The departures of talented individuals such as Jason Demetriou, Sam Mantom, Romaine Sawyers and Milan Lalkovic have hit supporters hard.

But it is the loss of Bradshaw that makes you fear Jon Whitney is now back to square one.

A five-year masterplan came to fruition last season – with the Saddlers missing out on automatic promotion to the Championship by a single point. The promised land was in touching distance, and yet now, it seems a million miles away.

What if Sean O'Driscoll hadn't replaced Dean Smith as manager? What if Walsall had taken another of the many clear-cut chances they created at Crewe? What if Blackpool hadn't grabbed that last-minute equaliser at the Banks's?

Now if Walsall are to be successful next season, they will have to do it without the man who has been a revelation since joining from Shrewsbury two years ago.

In 87 games for the Saddlers, Bradshaw has netted 40 times.

He has done it despite largely playing up front on his own.

[youtube] [/youtube]

And week after week he has worked tirelessly to ensure two centre-halves – not one – walk off the pitch knowing they have been in a game.

His time at the club has to be viewed as a monumental success.

As well as firing them to the brink of promotion, Bradshaw also got the goals that ensured Walsall made it to Wembley for the first time in their history. It's an incredible achievement for a forward that arrived for a nominal fee and who, at the time, wasn't guaranteed a start with Shrewsbury.

Bradshaw has often spoke of his appreciation for what Walsall have done for him.

Former boss Dean Smith identified his potential to be a top League One striker when no other clubs were looking at him. And Whitney put endless hours into the striker's fitness regime to ensure he could cope with the physical demands of being a lone forward.

Bradshaw will always be indebted to Walsall for the way they kick-started his career. But he has paid them back 10-fold in goals.

It is sad his tenure is ending with a transfer request.

And there are fans who are understandably angry at the way he has tried to force through a move.

Money talks in football though, and Bradshaw is in line to treble his wages with a move to the Championship. Scoring goals in the second tier will also give him a greater chance of being part of the Wales set-up as they begin their campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

A popular figure in the dressing room, the 23-year-old has given his all every time he has appeared in Walsall red. He has also spoken intelligently and shown an exemplary attitude whenever he has spoken with the media and to supporters.

The reality is that Bradshaw is going to be presented with offers that are too good to turn down.

And once the dust has settled, Walsall fans will wish him the all best – even though his departure leaves them fearful for the future.