Walsall in 'good place' ahead of new season says Mat Sadler

And Sadler believes pre-season has put Walsall in good stead ahead of the first trip to Morecambe.

"I feel really good [ahead of Morecambe]. Most importantly because injuries are ok, the squad is in good shape, and they've got all the minutes they needed," Sadler said.

"I've been able to expose them to how I want them to be, and how we want them to look.

"I'm fully aware that when the real stuff comes around next week that everything changes. But we do that with a squad which is together, a group of people that are desperate to do well for each other, and we're desperate to grow as a team together.

"But I am really pleased with everything they've done. What my staff have given me throughout pre-season, what the players have given me, and we go into the season in a really good place,"

Liam Gordon was a constant threat down the left and capped a strong individual performance with the opening goal in the 76th minute.

The Guyana international has had a strong pre-season and Sadler is especially pleased with the relationship he is building with Chris Hussey.

"He earned that [the first goal]. Liam has been great and there is a good relationship between him and Chris [Hussey]," Sadler added.

"Sometimes it's difficult to get those overloads when you play wing-back to wing-back, which is where Chris really drove and helped get around him.

"Chris gave Liam that little bit of space to put some fantastic balls in. I was really pleased with him. I also want to echo something I said about Taylor Allen the other day that I believe we have a real talent on our hands.

"At times in certain games we've brought him on and we'll continue to do that. When he came on today, he looked bright, wanted to run at players and he can also defend. We have a good trio of defenders that we can use at wing-back."