Mat Sadler makes Rico Richards 'second striker' point amid Walsall attacking concerns

Walsall completed their summer business by landing former West Brom and Aston Villa youngster Richards on a season-long loan from local rivals Port Vale on transfer deadline day. 

Richards, who has won promotion to League Two in each of his last two seasons at Stockport County and Port Vale respectively, has predominantly played as an attacking midfielder, or wide man. 

'Rico will add an attacking option'

Although the 21-year-old will compete for one of the advanced midfield positions, Sadler has also argued that he can play further forward in his system.

"Rico will add an attacking option. He's a wonderful player, I look forward to him playing because he has got that swagger, athleticism and creativity that will make him an enjoyable part of that midfield and second striker unit," Sadler claimed.

"I think he'll be a bit of both. He'll be an eight at times and he'll be a second striker at times, that's where I'm seeing him. 

"So he'll probably do both jobs for us and we're going to need that at times."

Have Walsall left themselves short in attack?

Critics fear that the Saddlers have left themselves short of options in attack, especially after sending Josh Gordon out on loan to his former club Barrow before the window closed.

Daniel Kanu arrived on loan from Charlton Athletic when it was revealed that Jonny Stuttle had been recalled by AFC Bournemouth following his ACL injury. 

The Sierra Leone international looks set to strike up a partnership with summer signing Aaron Pressley, but Jamille Matt and Albert Adomah are the only alternative options in attack. 

Meanwhile, Levi Amantchi, who arrived from Bromley in January, joined Rochdale on a six-month loan earlier in the summer, which will expire on January 3. 

Sadler: "I'm not willing to compromise my principles on anybody"

Although Walsall had been scanning the market for attacking reinforcements, Sadler explained that he did not want to "compromise" his principles by bringing the wrong characters into the building.

"It's very difficult in any window to sign four centre-forwards. We've signed three and one of them got injured," Sadler said when asked if Walsall had pursued any more targets up front.

"So it's very difficult to sign four and four that you're bona fide happy with because every club in the country is after them. 

"Did we look for other ones? Yes, we did, and we worked really hard for that, but I'm not willing to compromise on just anybody. 

"There were a couple that I was very aware of and then didn't get very good feelings in terms of the personality side of things."