George Bennett on Freddie Draper blow for Walsall
Walsall supporters only need to cast their minds back to January last year to remember the last time a centre-forward's departure rocked them to the core.
Danny Johnson returned to Mansfield Town having scored 15 goals in all competitions, and the Saddlers succumbed to a dismal second half of the campaign to limp to a 16th place finish.
Some may feel this vision of doom could repeat itself following Freddie Draper's recall by Lincoln City, but the 6-1 mauling of Grimsby Town on New Year's Day paints a very different picture.
Walsall trailed when Draper was withdrawn due to injury in the 33rd minute, as the footballing gods appeared to be conspiring against them.
After all, Walsall had lost all four of the games that Draper hadn't started in League Two, and his impact on the team has been colossal since his summer arrival.
However, his absence provided the chance for Douglas James-Taylor and Johnson to shine, and they both rose to the challenge.
The pair collected a goal and an assist apiece, whilst Isaac Hutchinson continued his resurgence in form with a brace, before setting up Johnson's late finish.
This may only be a glimpse, and the impact of his departure will only become clear over the coming months, but others are beginning to take on the goal scoring onus since Walsall embarked on a formidable run of six wins in seven across all competitions at the start of December.
Draper was responsible for 34 per cent of Walsall's goals during the opening 24 league matches, which is a figure that has reduced to 25.6 per cent since his return in November.
Meanwhile, Johnson had scored 40 per cent of the Saddlers' league tally of 30 prior to his winter departure last season. Tom Knowles was
Walsall's second-highest scorer at the time with three, whereas Hutchinson has already found the net eight times, Johnson has four despite his limited game time, and Jack Earing has scored twice in as many games.
Walsall have also scored nine more than at this stage last season, and have James-Taylor, Johnson and Jamille Matt to fill the void.
That's not to say that Walsall won't be in need of a replacement in January. Draper has been a phenomen during his time at the club, and his tally of 10 goals is an impressive feat for a striker of just 19.
He looks destined for a successful career and transformed into the ultimate all-round striker at Bescot. Whilst he is physically imposing, and boasts a natural eye for goal, he also has the technical skill to complement both of those attributes.
From the glimpses of brilliance he showed in pre-season to the beast which he has developed into over the past six months, Walsall fans will remember his Saddlers stint with great fondness.
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