The best Walsall XI of the Mat Sadler era: which players make our team?
Walsall boss Mat Sadler marked his 128th game in charge with a 1-1 draw against Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.
After just over two seasons at the helm, our Walsall FC correspondent George Bennett picks his best XI from the Sadler era so far.
GK: Tommy Simkin
Walsall-born Simkin played 46 times for his hometown club during his loan spell from Stoke City last season.
The 20-year-old registered 16 clean sheets in total and became the first Walsall goalkeeper to keep five successive league shutouts for the first time in 50 years in December last year.
Jackson Smith also enjoyed a breakthrough during the second half of Sadler's debut season and there is scope for current loan goalkeeper Myles Roberts to emulate Simkin.
RCB: Emmanuel Adegboyega
Harrison Burke might be the present and future of the Walsall back-line, but Emmanuel Adegboyega caught the eye during his short loan from Norwich City in 2024.
The Irishman initially had to bide his time after arriving in the January window, but marked his league debut with the winning goal in a 2-1 success over Mansfield Town.
He netted three goals in his first four games and was rewarded with the EFL Young Player of the Month award for February 2024.
CB: Aden Flint
The 36-year-old is proving that age is just a number in the heart of the Saddlers defence.
Flint has become an immediate fan favourite at Bescot and has played an instrumental role in propelling them to the League Two summit.
