Analysis: Walsall midfield discovers its spark in Tranmere renaissance

At least, that was what his performance on his league debut suggested, as the Saddlers ran out 3-1 victors at Tranmere Rovers on Saturday. 

Sadler has tinkered with his midfield of late and has not quite been able to strike upon a winning formula - at least not consistently. 

Brandon Comley has alternated with Lewis Warrington, who was once ahead of him in the pecking order, and Jamie Jellis, Courtney Clarke, Charlie Lakin and Ryan Finnigan have all traded places at different stages. 

Early signs look promising for Pattison

The departure of Finnigan served as a blow when he was recalled by Blackpool earlier in the window but there was always the sense that he could be replaced.

Yes, he scored four goals (still the joint-second most in the Walsall squad this season) but three of those arrived during a remarkable purple patch in November. 

Finnigan did have a tendency to blow hot and cold and Walsall have since plucked a seasoned professional from a former foe in the form of Pattison. 

The 28-year-old scored seven times for Bradford City, as they pipped Walsall to automatic promotion in the most dramatic, and cruelest of fashions, this term. 

Pattison even has a tattoo on is leg of Antoni Sarcevic's promotion-winning goal, which he has vowed to get removed. 

Yet he can be forgiven for kick-starting the Saddlers' slide with his two goals in a 3-0 win for Bradford just 12 months ago, so long as he continues to produce performances of the ilk we witnessed at Tranmere. 

Tactical tweaks made the difference 

Sadler also deserves credit for his tactical tweaks in the centre of the park. He inverted the midfield with Comley at the base and Pattison also playing slightly deeper, with Jamie Jellis positioned closer to the strikers. 

As a result, Walsall played at a much higher intensity than they did in previous defeats at Cambridge United and Oldham Athletic and that all started from the press.