Chris Marsh: Walsall worryingly short of numbers

Sitting just three points above the relegation zone in League One, there is no denying the Saddlers are in a battle against the drop.

And they need to crack on and resolve a host of issues – both on and off the field – if they are going to get out of trouble.

In terms of the squad, everyone can see they are desperately short of numbers. Personally, I can’t believe they have allowed themselves to get in this position.

Everybody knew the loans of Tyler Roberts, Zeli Ismail, Daniel Agyei and Shaun Donnellan expired this month. OK, it was a bit of a shock losing James Wilson to Lincoln but everyone at Walsall would have known there was a chance Sheffield United could recall the defender.

Replace

Roberts and Ismail were never going to stay. Tyler consistently showed he has the talent to play at a higher level so why would he stop in League One?

And after the performances Ismail put in, it was always likely he would go back to Bury after they sacked Lee Clark.

I believe there should have been a better plan in place to replace those players.

I completely understand there will be clubs holding on to people until they bring in their own targets.

But if that’s the case broaden your list of targets because at the moment Walsall’s squad is worryingly short of both numbers and experience.

We saw that at Charlton when youngsters Mitch Candlin and Will Shorrock were on the bench.

They are both talented lads with bright futures but are they really ready to play in such an important game?

The fact Jon Whitney choose not to make any substitutions suggests not.

From what I am told and have read, the Charlton game was a really entertaining match.

Both teams created a number of clear-cut chances. And I completely understand Whitney coming out afterwards and saying he was proud of his players. They gave it everything against a very good side and it’s absolutely crucial as a manager you do anything you can to help your team improve just one per cent.

But at the end of the day Walsall lost. And now I’d love to see Whitney knock on Jeff Bonser’s door and tell him they need two or three top quality players.

They have lost four good players this month. They have brought George Dobson in but they needed more competition in midfield.

The four players that have left need replacing and it cannot be with two mediocre additions.

It should have been sorted by now, but there is still time – especially as there is no game this weekend.

So let’s see what they come up with.

It’s Blackburn next for the Saddlers but I’ve already got one eye on the MK Dons game the weekend after this one. Blackburn is a bit of a bonus game. Tony Mowbray’s side are riding high in the table.

They have also built a squad that is really strong at this level and I expect them to win automatic promotion.

Walsall can go there with the pressure off. And that sometimes helps you get a result.

But you’d take a loss there if it then meant beating MK Dons at home – because that game is massive.

The Dons currently occupy the last relegation spot but the worry for me is Walsall won’t be playing them at a great time.

Robbie Neilson was sacked following their defeat to Northampton at the weekend.

And there’s likely to be the new manager ‘bounce’ for Dan Micciche before they head to the West Midlands on February 3.

With a new man in charge, the MK Dons players will know that their places – or maybe even their futures – will be on the line.

That’s the reason why you often get a lift when a new manager takes over.

Players who had been comfortable are no longer in that luxurious position. Livelihoods are suddenly at stake.

And if both MK Dons and Southend, who sacked Phil Brown, get a bounce – the table will be looking even worse for the Saddlers.

League One can be a tough division. But it’s only as tough as you make it. On and off the field Walsall now need to really show what they are about.

Otherwise an anxious fan base is suddenly going to become very, very nervous.