Kelly calls for Saddlers patience
Ex-Walsall favourite David Kelly has called for Saddlers fans to be patient with boss Chris Hutchings next season.
The former striker, who started his professional career with the club in 1983, believes that - with Norwich, Leeds, Southampton and Charlton in League One next season - the Banks's Stadium faithful may need to curtail their expectations.
He said: "They have to be realistic with the financial constraints – that's a fact in football at every level.
"They're up against a lot of teams with an awful lot of spending power and you have to have a bit of luck along the way.
"You have to have an injury-free season to your main five players and if you are lucky enough for that to happen then you can do well.
"People forget they are still a relatively newly promoted team as well so it takes you a few years to get used to the division and look for a decent finish.
"But you always look onwards and upwards and always look for the play-offs if possible."
Kelly, now assistant manager at Nottingham Forest, hailed Hutchings' influence and backed the Saddlers' youth policy.
He said: "I think Chris has done a great job. He's steadied the ship, he's a good coach and Martin (O'Connor) is a good coach with him.
"The policy will be to bring younger players through, get people on loan and go from there."
