Walsall season preview: New Saddlers era dawns

Relegation last season hurt the club’s passionate supporters.

But while that pain still lingers, a raft of changes on and off the field mean fans are now genuinely excited about the future.

Earlier this week, Leigh Pomlett completed a shock takeover of the club.

Darrell Clarke has come in as manager.

And those two men are now the figureheads for what really is the beginning of a new era.

Drastic changes were needed because in recent years there has been a major disconnect between the team on the pitch and those on the terraces.

Supporters did not bond with the side Jon Whitney built for a host of reasons.

And while they desperately tried to rally around Dean Keates, things actually got worse rather than better.

Clarke got to work as soon as he was confirmed as manager.

Almost immediately, 11 players were released with some big names shown the exit door.

Joe Edwards, Kieron Morris, Luke Leahy, Jon Guthrie, Zeli Ismail and Isaiah Osbourne have all had prominent roles at the Banks’s in recent years.

But fans wanted sweeping changes. And they were all shown the door – with more following.

Nicky Devlin turned down the offer of a new contract to move to the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell.

Andy Cook said he wanted to leave and joined League Two rivals Mansfield.

While George Dobson last week completed his anticipated move to Sunderland.

There is no doubt those three players would have boosted Walsall in League Two.

But after the last few years, Walsall fans don’t want anyone at the club who doesn’t want to be there. And neither does Clarke.

With such a major rebuilding job on their hands, the Saddlers board had to bring in the right boss to steer the ship.

And on paper at least, they couldn’t have done any better than Clarke.

The 41-year-old oversaw an overhaul just as big at Bristol Rovers.

He had to rebuild morale on and off the pitch after the Pirates had just been relegated.

And he put together a team that not only won promotion at the first attempt – they did it again the following year.

There is no denying Clarke is a winner. And you’d expect him to have Walsall competing for a play-off place towards the end of the season.

It’s important to remember, though, there are no quick fixes in football.

The 41-year-old does not have a magic wand, and he will need time.

Last week Clarke went on record to say you can’t turn around a club that has got used to having a losing mentality overnight.

And in both years he won promotion at Bristol Rovers, the Gas actually started the campaign relatively slowly.

In the 2014/15 season – when they won the National League play-offs – they won just two of their opening seven matches.

The following year, when they clinched automatic promotion from League Two, they lost five of their first nine games.

And while the aim this season will be to hit the ground running, it is likely Walsall will take a bit of time to truly settle down.

What Walsall fans can expect, though, is a team that will fight for the shirt every week.

There is plenty of experience in the squad following the additions of James Clarke, Stuart Sinclair, Mat Sadler, Danny Guthrie and Gary Liddle.

And there are also exciting talents such as Josh Gordon, Elijah Adebayo, Wes McDonald and Rory Holden who will get fans off their seats.

At the time of writing, the squad is still in need of another striker.

That is the only piece of the puzzle still missing with Clarke having done incredibly well to get almost all his business done before the season gets underway.

With a new team to get behind, an ambitious and driven manager at the helm and a new owner at the top – there is a lot for Walsall fans to look forward to in the 2019/20 campaign.

It may not be League One, but the club feels ambitious again.

And you get the feeling this group of players will give everything to win promotion at the first attempt.

The boss

The message from Walsall’s fans is a clear one.

“In Darrell Clarke we trust,” you are likely to hear them say.

And they have every right to believe their club has pulled off a master-stroke by luring the 41-year-old to the Banks’s Stadium.

Regarded at the greatest manager in Bristol Rovers’ history, Clarke famously guided the Gas to back-to-back promotions from the National League into League One.

He also won two promotions during his time in charge of non-league Salisbury City.

Just a few years ago, the boss was offered and turned down the chance to manage Leeds.

He was also in contention to land the Norwich job following the sacking of Alex Neil.

Now, though, he is back in League Two. And you can be sure he is determined to add another promotion to his impressive CV.

Tactically flexible, the former Mansfield winger has said he treats every game as it’s own individual project.

He likes players who can play in multiple positions and he rarely names the same team – or picks the same formation – two games running.

What is clear, though, is that Clarke has incredibly high standards.

And while Walsall’s players have been worked hard throughout pre-season, they have enjoyed every minute of it.

In the past, Clarke’s success has predominately come from picking up players who have yet to fulfil their potential.

A lot of his signings this summer fit into that mould.

But when he gets it right he builds sides that are attack minded and – home or away – go all out for victory.

If he polishes his rough diamonds, Walsall will be in for an exciting year.

Key men

James Clarke

An integral part of the Bristol Rovers defence that proved to be the fifth best in League One last year.

Even Darrell Clarke admitted he was surprised to lure his namesake to Walsall this summer.

But the centre-back turned down the offer of a two-year-deal at the Memorial Stadium to team up with his former manager once again.

And he looks to be defender the Saddlers have been missing for the past few years.

Quick, strong and commanding in the air, Clarke has very few weaknesses to his game.

Alongside fellow new recruit Mat Sadler, Walsall have plenty of experience at the back.

Stuart Sinclair

Just like James Clarke, Sinclair has also left Bristol Rovers to team up with his former manager.

The 31-year-old was a firm fan favourite during his time with the Pirates.

And his performances in pre-season have already caught the eye of the Saddlers faithful.

In all Walsall’s friendlies, Clarke has made it clear he wants his team to press high up the pitch. Sinclair’s work rate means he is often the trigger for that press.

But his defensive nous has drawn comparisons with Adam Chambers – with the midfielder a master at winning the ball and quickly moving it on.

Also has an eye for goal as he proved with a stunner against Villa.

Elijah Adebayo

There is no denying Elijah Adebayo has all the attributes needed to shine at the Banks’s.

The 21-year-old is tall, strong and frightens defenders when he runs at them. Now, though, the time has come for the striker to realise his undoubted potential.

Adebayo had a loan spell at Swindon last season that ended on a sour note. After turning up late for training manager Richie Wellens said: “His attributes are tremendous, he’ll be a top player. But sometimes it’s about what’s between the ears.”

Now there is no going back to Fulham, Adebayo knows he must prove himself.

Danny Guthrie

There won’t be many players in League Two this year who have played more than 100 games in the Premier League.

But Danny Guthrie was once an established top-flight performer. And you do not lose that quality on the ball.

After realising a life-long ambition of playing aboard – with Indonesian side Mitra Kukar – the 32-year-old has moved back to his home in Telford determined to re-establish himself in the English game.

Equally comfortable with his left and right foot, Guthrie looks set to be the man that will make Walsall tick this year.

Expected to operate in a play-making role