Jon Whitney: Banks's must be a fortress for Walsall
Jon Whitney is targeting a flying start to the new season with the boss believing home form will be crucial in Walsall's race for the Championship.
The Saddlers kick-off their League One campaign tomorrow when AFC Wimbledon visit the Banks's Stadium.
Walsall finished third last year with the best away record in the division. But they would have ended the campaign in tenth place if only home results counted.
Whitney oversaw an upturn in form at the Banks's when he was named interim manager back in March.
And now the boss wants that to continue into the new campaign.
"We want to make the Banks's Stadium a fortress and that starts against Wimbledon tomorrow," he said.
"One of the big things I had to do was make sure the home form got better.
"It improved so we want to take that into the new season. Wimbledon will play at a high tempo. But one of the things we have worked on is how we can create chances when teams bank in.
"We have brought players in who can unlock defences. Simeon Jackson. Flo Cuvelier. Erhun Oztumer. Then we have Franck Moussa, Josh Ginnelly and Andreas Makris. We have got really good attacking players."
Whitney expects to be able to have both Isaiah Osbourne and record signing Makris in his squad for the visit of The Dons.
After missing the whole of last season with a knee injury, Osbourne was offered a one-year deal to remain with the Saddlers earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Walsall were yesterday waiting for intentional clearance for Makris after he signed from Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta on Monday.
Whitney added: "We're waiting on clearance but hoping he will available. I have got him as part of my squad."
