Saddlers Social: Time to start building

Kevin Paddock

Hopefully following Saturday's defeat to AFC Wimbledon, any talk of the play-offs will now finally be put to bed.

For me, it's important Jon Whitney and his coaching staff begin planning for next season already.

The likes of Andreas Makris and Craig MacGillivray deserve game time, especially MacGillivray with it widely believed Neil Etheridge will be on his way out.

I'd also like to see youngsters like Korey Roberts and Liam Kinsella given a chance to prove they are worthy of a new deal.

Tom Miner

After a disappointing defeat on Saturday, the play-off dream looks like it's slipping away, and a season of mid-table mediocrity awaits.

Most people will say it's been a season that we can build on, but with two loanees in the starting line-up, three more on the bench and a 36-year-old Adam Chambers in midfield, next year's team may require a bit more structural work instead of just a fresh lick of paint.

With Neil Etheridge likely to depart in the summer, Craig MacGillivray needs testing to see if he can be his long-term replacement.

Nick Etheridge

Although there is still plenty of football to play, Saturday's loss could well have ended our play-off hopes.

It would also be a safe-ish bet (although you never know with the Saddlers) that we've done enough to remain in the league.

Rather than let the season fizzle out, it's important that JW looks toward next season.

The futures of out-of-contract players and loanees need to be sorted out sooner, rather than later, to give him an idea of where we need to add to the squad earlier and start to build a team that allows Erhun Oztumer to flourish.

A run of games for Makris would provide some much needed confidence, especially as the goals have dried up a little for Baka and Jackson, along with sourcing a replacement for the evergreen Adam Chambers.

It will be tough to replace the likes of McCarthy and O'Connell.

Whitney has, however, proven he can spot a player, as the majority of his summer signings have been excellent.

Richard Kendrick

I hate a last minute postponement, but if there's ever a day that it's allowed, it's Pancake Day. As I overdosed on lemon juice and maple syrup, the players found themselves watching the teams around us play their game in hand and managed to gain an extra few days rest, instead of playing on a leveller of a pitch against a desperate team.

Now we're nine points away from the play-offs, it's a big ask to make up that much ground with only twelve games to go. Still, if we can keep it interesting and stay close to the play-off hunt whilst playing some good football, I'll be happy. I could make a gag about our home form being flipping good while our away form is crêpe, but I won't…

Dan Gilbert

With the Chesterfield game postponed it gives us all a chance to take in the disappointing defeat at Wimbledon.

It wasn't a great game to watch. The conditions weren't great, the pitch was even worse and neither side could keep possession.

It's further proof that the formation that Jon Whitney has found to work perfectly at home has the opposite effect away and he can't just sit on it hoping it'll suddenly work.

Finally, for me it rules out those very slim chances of play offs and in the next few weeks I hope we see a few fringe players given minutes. Apparently we've got some Cypriot bloke, I wouldn't mind seeing if he's any good!