Return of Walsall fans is 'absolutely crucial', says manager Darrell Clarke

The Saddlers will have played four home games by the end of September, all behind closed doors. Although chairman Leigh Pomlett has revealed the Banks's Stadium may be used for a trial with fans returning later this month.

Plans to welcome back socially distanced fans were set for October, but the government now has that under review and Clarke is adamant that supporters are needed back as soon as possible.

“It’s going to be absolutely crucial,” he said. “Absolutely crucial for clubs like ourselves and a lot of other football clubs that rely on the revenue that comes through the gates.

“It’s important but everything has to be safe to do so. When that will be, time will tell.

“For me as a manager I still have the same pressure to win games and the pressure I put on myself to win games, but I don’t particularly enjoy it (without fans).

“I like to feel the crowd, feel the buzz of the crowd. As a manager, and I’ve managed quite a few games now, I’ve had abuse but I just miss it.

“You miss that little bit of edge, you miss the adrenaline that it causes.

We certainly hope that as soon as possible that fans can come safely back into the stadiums and enjoy the football.”

Meanwhile, Clarke says the club are not close to making any more additions to the squad.

Walsall have made four permanent deals and one loan signing in this transfer window and with the current financial climate, and the depth he already has, Clarke is not rushing to add to it immediately.

“You never say never, but the way things are going, we don’t even know when crowds are coming in and the finances are very, very tight,” Clarke said.

“We have a squad that if we can stay injury free has some good competition for places.

“As a manager you’d always like one or two to add to that but we’ll work with what we’ve got unless things change.”