Walsall boss Matt Taylor happy with summer signings

The transfer deadline came on Tuesday as the Saddlers, who are at Bradford City tomorrow, ended with 13 summer signings.

Barnsley forward George Miller was the last to join, on loan, and while there are some concerns over a lack of firepower from fans, Taylor is happy with their recruitment.

“When I look at the position we were in when I joined, we identified early on the players we wanted,” said Taylor.

“We went after the permanent signings, if you like, and managed to get a lot of our business done early.

“I’m sure everybody was slightly frustrated that it took us until transfer deadline day to get another striker in.

“But that’s the way it is. I’m not making excuses, but you look at the way the world has been for the last 18 months, everything seems to take slightly longer.

“From my perspective, I’m extremely happy with the business we’ve done.

“We’ve recruited players that fit in with our identity and core values as a football club.

“They’ve all got different personalties, which is hugely important, and they’re all talented players who have different strengths to each other.

“That gives you options as a coach, which is great.

“The difficult thing as a coach is you can only select 11 players, and we’ve made 13 signings.

“I think we’ve had a really good transfer window.”

Walsall chairman Leigh Pomlett echoed those thoughts.

Speaking as part of his latest video on the club’s YouTube channel, he said: “The truth will be on the pitch, but in terms of calibre of player, I am (pleased).

“This squad is significantly more powerful than what we had in previous years.

“Those that I talk to – not only in this club, but outside this club – think Walsall’s a force to be reckoned with this season.

“But they’ve got to prove it on the pitch.”