Scottish title contender and a free agent - where are Mat Sadler's first Walsall XI now
Mat Sadler celebrated 150 games in the dugout as Walsall manager during a 3-1 win at Tranmere Rovers last weekend.
The Sadler era got underway in less successful circumstances, as they were beaten 2-1 by Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium in August 2023.
Although Sadler had been in the dugout for the final three games as caretaker boss, his reign officially began at the start of the 2023-24 season.
So we have taken a look back at the team which played that day, and where they are now...
Goalkeeper - Owen Evans
Evans was the first-choice goalkeeper under Michael Flynn and retained that status for the first three months of Sadler's reign.
An injury in November presented Jackson Smith with the chance to oust him and Evans was demoted to the role of backup for the remainder of the campaign.
He returned to Cheltenham Town for a spell which proved short-lived and spent the second half of last season on loan at Barnet where he won the National League title.
But after making a costly error on the opening day, Evans has played just three times for the Bees in League Two.
Centre-back - Harry Williams
Williams was handed his Football League debut after Priestley Farquharson suffered an injury during training earlier in the week.
Signed from non-league Alvechurch, Williams made 16 appearances in his debut season, before a hip flexor injury curtailed his campaign in the New Year.
He returned to play a key role for the Saddlers last term - scoring three goals in 40 matches in all competitions.
The defender ruptured his Achilles in the League Two play-off final in May 2025 and has been out ever since.
However, Williams did sign a two-year deal with an option year in September.
Centre-back - Donervon Daniels
Daniels wore the armband in the heart of defence and started every league game during Sadler's debut season until injury struck in mid February 2024.
The Montserrat international was never quite able to rediscover his groove afterwards and continued to struggle with injury for the remainder of his spell.
He was released last summer after making 115 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons, scoring four goals and setting up just as many.
Now, Daniels plays for League Two rivals Oldham Athletic and has played Walsall twice this term - including in a 2-1 victory over the Saddlers at Bescot on December 29.
