Darrell Clarke: Walsall need to stick together

After 12 years in League One, the Saddlers begin life in English football’s fourth tier when they take on Northampton tomorrow.

The match marks the beginning of a new era for supporters following a host of changes at the Banks’s Stadium over the summer.

As well as Clarke’s appointment as boss, Leigh Pomlett completed a takeover of the club earlier this week. Those changes have led to fans hoping their team can bounce back from relegation at the first attempt. And Clarke doesn’t want to take that optimism away.

“I am not going to take any enjoyment away from the fans,” the 41-year-old said.

“That (promotion) is what everyone wants to see, that is what the management and the players want to see.

“We are in League Two. And the only way you get out of League Two is by making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“That goes for everyone, everyone in the football club, the supporters and the media.

“I think it’s been a pretty positive summer with the changes that have been made. We want to continue that and have a good season.”

While Clarke is optimistic for the season ahead, he is also a realist.

“There are a lot of big teams in League Two,” he continued. “There are a lot teams that are difficult to play against with different strengths and different weaknesses.

“There is a lot more pressure on the big clubs in this league. We know we are not in the top seven catchment for that.

“But I have spent my time at my other clubs overachieving. I think 70 to 75 per cent of clubs finish where their budget is.

“We know we are going to have to overachieve to get out of this division with the competition that is in it. But that is what we will be trying to do.”

For Clarke, the primary aim for the season is to give supporters a team to be proud of.

“We want to develop the football club again,” he said. “We are a League Two team because we deserve to be.

“It’s about improving. At the end of the season, the table doesn’t lie and we will be where we deserve to be.

“I haven’t been brought in for a quick fix, that’s for sure.

“I was under no illusions how tough this job is going to be. But I am relishing the opportunity.”

The Saddlers boss became known during his time at Bristol Rovers for playing a number of different formations.

Throughout pre-season, Walsall have tended to line up with a back three. But they have also played in a 4-2-3-1 system. And Clarke hasn’t ruled out springing a surprise tomorrow.

“We have been working on a lot of formations in training,” he added. “We have worked on 4-2-3-1 as well. There are no guarantees it will be a back three. Everyone is going to have to wait and see. I know the team in my head, everyone else will have to wait.”

The opposition: Cobblers have assembled a strong squad

Northampton fans head into the new season dreaming of promotion after what has been an intriguing summer at Sixfields.

On paper at least, Keith Curle looks to have made a number of shrewd additions in the transfer market. And it is in central midfield where they look particularly strong.

Curle has boosted his ranks by brining in Chris Lines – a favourite of Darrell Clarke’s during his time at Bristol Rovers. But he also snapped up the experienced Alan McCormack, who impressed whenever he turned out for League One title winners Luton last season.

In total, Northampton have signed eight players you’d expect to go straight into the starting line-up, with targetman Harry Smith another clever capture.

A bit like Walsall, the test is going to be how quickly their new-look side clicks.

Mentality wise, though, they are sure to be stronger than last season.

As recently as March, Curle was critical of the attitude in the dressing room – the likes of Lines and McCormack will help change that.

And that means the Cobblers should finish a lot higher than the 16th place they clinched last season.

You’d imagine they’ll have to keep veteran players like Lines and McCormack fit though if they are to mount a serious challenge for promotion.

Memory lane:

Saturday, November 5, 1927

The first ever meeting between the two sides took place in the old Division Three (South) almost 92 years ago.

Saddlers will be more than keen to avoid a repeat of the scoreline from that visit by the side of Walsall’s first full-time manager David Ashworth (pictured) – the Cobblers ran out 10-0 winners in a successful season which saw them go on to become runners-up in the division.

The key battle:

Stuart Sinclair v Alan McCormack

He might now be 35 years old, but McCormack was a key figure in the Luton side that followed up winning promotion into League Two by winning League One.

The midfielder will sit deep, collect the ball off the back four and look to dictate play.

Sinclair, though, has shown throughout pre-season he is full of energy and eager to press. You can bet he won’t give his rival a minute’s peace on the ball.