Analysis of Port Vale 1 Walsall 1

Walsall new-boy Ryan McGivern today revealed he turned down other clubs because of the Saddlers' hard sell.

The left-back impressed in the 1-1 draw at Port Vale on Saturday — the final pre-season outing before League One hostilities begin with the visit of MK Dons at the weekend.

McGivern only signed on a season-long loan from Manchester City on Thursday but slotted into the Saddlers' backline with ease.

Crystal Palace and Oldham were believed to be interested but the Northern Ireland international said he knows he made the right choice to join former Eastlands pals Paul Marshall and Clayton McDonald.

"The club sold itself to me," he said.

"There were a couple of clubs interested but I know Marshy and Clayton from City. I spoke to the manager and he just asked me to come down and have a look at the training ground and the facilities are second to none.

"I live up in Manchester and I'm in the car school already. I spoke to Marshy about it told me everything I needed to know. He's not going to lie to me.

"It's nice because when you go on loan you usually see a whole new bunch of lads and a whole new dressing room but when you know a couple of boys it helps you settle in a bit quicker."

But he admits after a stop-start summer there is work to be done before the Dons visit the Banks's Stadium on Saturday.

"The season starts this week and it was only my second game of the summer so physically I've still got a wee bit more to do before the start," said McGivern, who was on loan at Leicester last season.

"I'm still a bit behind and in training we'll take it down this week and make sure we're ready to go for MK Dons.

"It was pretty tiring but the game went well and it was decent for this time of the season. It was about knowing the shape and although you want to win the performance is the most important thing but it went well both personally and for the team."

The 20-year-old finished at centre-back after injuries to McDonald and Manny Smith - although both should be fit for Saturday.

And McGivern, whose arrival ended Chris Stokes' trial, says he is prepared to be the Saddlers' Mr Fix-it if needed.

"I don't mind as long as I have a shirt, left-back or centre-back, I'm happy to play and will give 100 per cent in any position," he added.

McDonald limped out late after a knock to the knee while Smith was withdrawn at half-time following a hamstring strain.

But Smith set up the Saddlers' opener after 11 minutes when he launched a pinpoint ball for Alex Nicholls to steal in ahead of Lee Collins and find the corner from 12 yards.

The striker's poise and composure impressed as he finished the summer with two goals from his last two games — and the Saddlers' only strikes of pre-season.

The 22-year-old has been critical of his goal ratio in the past and but two lively outings show his determination to become a true threat.

A return of 15 goals from 127 games has disappointed Nicholls but with a chance to cement himself in his favoured striking position recent evidence suggests he is ready to take it.

He almost bagged an assist after feeding Troy Deeney but the striker, still interesting Watford, shot straight at Chris Martin.

The Saddlers saw out the rest of the half in relative comfort but struggled immediately after the break.

Marc Richards squandered two good chances before Vale levelled on 53 minutes.

Anthony Griffith escaped down the right and despite David Bevan's touch and McGivern's presence the midfielder's shot squirmed over the line.

The Saddlers almost regained the lead on 56 minutes when Darren Byfield latched onto Aaron Lescott's throughball but drove at Stuart Tomlinson's legs. Collins headed over for Vale and Julian Gray, captain for the day, lashed wide before Justin Richards miscued when clean through.

Vale had the Saddlers - who missed Smith - stretched but in a late flourish Byfield flashed one wide and Oliver Lancashire was denied by Tomlinson.

Jonny Brain's smart stop denied Sean Rigg before Tomlinson produced the save of the match when he turned Byfield's rasping drive over at the death.

By Nick Mashiter