Comment: Five problems that need to be solved at Walsall
After a blistering start to the League One season, the mood at Walsall has been dampened by four defeats from their last five games.
That run has seen the Saddlers slip to 11th in the table so here are five things to address as they aim to revive a potential play-off push.
1 A penchant for giving away penalties.
Walsall have made a frustrating habit of conceding spot-kicks over recent weeks.
In fact, they have had one awarded against them in five of their last six home outings in the league at the Banks’s.
It may be easier said than done, but the Saddlers need to take extra caution in their own box as they are giving themselves mountains to climb.
George Dobson fouled Tarique Fosu inside the area just seven minutes into the clash with Charlton on Tuesday night.
Lyle Taylor converted and it knocked the stuffing out of Dean Keates’ charges as they eventually slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
You always want to see a high level of commitment from the players, a willingness to stick a foot in – but they have been overzealous as of late.
2 Finding a formation that fits.
Walsall lined up in a 4-4-2 as they lost to the Addicks, after using a 4-3-3 in last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Burton.
A 4-1-4-1 was also deployed by Keates as they were downed 3-0 by Southend last month.
The flexibility of the Saddlers squad could be seen as a positive.
After all, it is always nice to have a Plan B.
But, in the same breath, there is an argument for sticking to a certain system for a few games.
Perhaps Walsall’s focus needs to be on getting themselves settled as opposed to matching up against their opponents in a bid to stifle them.
3 Central midfield partner for Dobson.
Dobson has played every single minute of every league game for the Saddlers.
The 20-year-old has impressed both on and off the ball. He is as consistent as they come.
Nobody else has impressed to such an extent in the middle of the park though. Isaiah Osbourne has made 14 league starts but was replaced for the start of the second period against Charlton.
Liam Kinsella came on and did well – appearing for the fifth time as a substitute – while Conor Ronan, who has made four starts and four sub appearances, is another option for Keates.
The spot alongside Dobson seems well and truly up for grabs. The onus is on Osbourne, Kinsella and Ronan to step things up in an effort to claim it before Joe Edwards and Adam Chambers return from injury, with the former believed to be just a few weeks away.
4 Morgan Ferrier’s barren run.
Another who has started all 17 games for Walsall is Ferrier, but he has failed to find the net in the last eight.
While he has done well after making the step up from non-league, as keeping his place in the team shows, you would have expected to have managed more than three league goals by now.
Ferrier is a livewire, blessed with the pace, power and tricky to trouble any third-tier defence.
He is capable of chipping in with some special strikes – the one against Gillingham in August being one – but supporters would take a few tap-ins from him.
5 Winning formula on the wing.
Josh Ginnelly and Josh Gordon were brought in on either flank as the formation was changed for Charlton.
Kieron Morris was dropped to the bench while Zeli Ismail began among the subs for the fourth straight game. They all have potential, but at least a couple of them need to start really producing now.
