Walsall analysis: Solid Saddlers showing adds to growing sense of optimism

12 points from six games is a solid return and back-to-back wins in the league suggests Walsall are beginning to gather some early season momentum.

The campaign might only be six games old but Aden Flint might just be the signing of the summer for Walsall.

The numbers illustrate Aden Flint's dominance

At 36-year-old, there were question marks over whether his best years were behind him, but the towering centre-back has proven any potential critics emphatically wrong. 

There are few superlatives left to describe Flint and his outstanding performances during the opening weeks of the season. 

He shone in the 1-0 win over Salford City at Bescot, and produced yet another top drawer display to help lead the Saddlers to back-to-back wins at Stadium MK. 

The numbers only further illustrated his dominance. He made 15 defensive contributions and five clearances - more than any player on the pitch in both metrics. 

He also made five headed clearance (second only to MK Dons defender Jack Sanders) and the joint-most interceptions (two). 

Recovering from Evan Weir's injury

His leadership and defensive knowhow also proved beneficial once Walsall had to readjust midway into the first half after Evan Weir was forced off with a knock. 

Priestley Farquharson was deployed on the right and Harrison Burke adjusted seamlessly when he switched to left centre-back. 

Burke had less license to venture forward than usual but remained disciplined in his positioning. It was also a big ask for Priestley Farquharson, who has had limited game time since recovering from a 10-month absence with a thigh injury. 

Yet he looked in good condition during his 60-minute showing and played an instrumental goal in the match-winning, outmuscling and outpacing Alex Gilbey to set Walsall on the counter-attack. 

Charlie Lakin's standout start for Walsall

Aaron Pressley, who was manhandled for much of the contest, finally freed himself from the clutches of Jon Mellish and Sanders. The Scotsman was quickly supported by Charlie Lakin as Daniel Kanu made a smart run between the two centre-backs. 

That afforded Lakin with an extra yard of space to run into and his low drove took a telling deflection off Mellish and spun into the far bottom corner with Craig MacGillivray rooted to the spot. 

It was the least Lakin deserved for his efforts. He had come close twice in the first half: forcing an excellent finger tip stop from MacGillivray, before flashing another chance over on the half-volley. 

Lakin might not be the tidiest player on the ball, completing just 46 per cent of his passes across the 90, but his relentless engine and ability to pick up dangerous positions in the half-space is priceless. 

The midfielder has been one of the standout performers along with Flint in the early stages of the season and has all the ingredients that any supporter loves: heart, determination and honesty. 

Lewis Warrington's steady showing

Summer signing Lewis Warrington also deserves a special mention. The holding midfielder, signed from Leyton Orient, continues to be preferred to Comley, and produced his best performance yet. 

He was steady in possession: completing more passes (30) and more long balls (five) than any of his teammates. Not only that, but his demonstrated his ability to read the game, completing five recoveries. 

Another exciting development has been the increasing variety on the bench and Sadler has utilised those options wisely in the past two games. 

Strong options from the bench (again)

Jamie Jellis was forced off with a minor thigh issue at the break, and Ryan Finnigan, just as he did against Salford, provided Walsall with an injection of energy. 

Not only does his ability to carry the ball and take players on offer a different dynamic, but he never shirks his defensive responsibilities either. 

Courtney Clarke's versatility is also another key asset and he filled in for the final half an hour to prevent Vincent Harper from running the risk of receiving a second yellow card. 

Comley and Albert Adomah helped steady the ship for the closing stages, and Sadler's 'starters and finishers' approach is clearly helping Walsall manage games. 

Sadler had a similar core of impact subs last season with Jack Earing and George Hall picking up the baton in midfield, while Albert Adomah offered versatility and Danny Johnson offered goal threat. 

The options of 2025-26 could also be key in a number of games this season, just as they have been in the past two wins.

Back-to-back clean sheets

Walsall were far from dominant and Myles Roberts produced two particularly good saves to deny Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Gilbey in the second half. 

But they defended their penalty area so well and looked extremely strong as a unit once again to show good value for their second successive clean sheet in League Two. 

MK Dons had scored 10 goals in their four games prior, but Walsall showed a stubborn resilience to keep their seemingly endless supply of attacking reinforcements at bay. 

Focus will turn to the EFL Trophy when Walsall visit local rivals Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night. 

There are so many senior players on the fringes at the moment and the trip to Croud Meadow will provide Sadler with a prime opportunity to get minutes into the legs. 

The squad will be needed and perhaps one or two more bodies before the transfer window shuts on Monday, but the picture looks much more optimistic at the end of a positive week.