'Back him everyday of the week' - Jamie Jellis tipped to overcome Walsall challenges
Mat Sadler has backed Jamie Jellis to rediscover his early Walsall form after a challenging season so far for the midfielder.
The 25-year-old - who scored seven times in his first full season in the Football League last term - is yet to find the net for Walsall during the current campaign.
However, Jellis did produce his best performance in recent memory during the Saddlers' 3-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park last Saturday.
Walsall inverted their midfield with Brandon Comley at the base and new signing Alex Pattison fluidly alternating between his defensive and attacking duties.
Meanwhile, Sadler provided Jellis with a new lease of life by deploying him in a more advanced role.
Sadler backs Jellis to bounce back
"From where he came from, to see him hit the ground running and show what he showed was amazing to see," boss Sadler said.
"Then it comes into the realms of fighting through adversity and he'll do that because he is a strong character.
"He has had loads thrown at him over the past six months especially but I back him everyday of the week to come out fighting."
Jellis signed from National League North outfit Tamworth for an undisclosed fee in January 2024, but a hamstring injury reduced him to just two appearances from the bench in 2024-25.
He hit the ground running by scoring three goals during pre-season in 2024 and continued that excellent form with six goals and two assists across all competitions by mid January.
However, Jellis was unable to maintain those early season heights for much of the second half of the campaign and has faced a number of challenges both on and off the pitch in recent months.
In September, Jellis received a £1,200 fine for breaching FA betting rules, but avoided further punishment when he was handed a five-month suspended ban following a hearing.
Even after that episode, he has been nursing an abdominal issue for large portions of the season, as well as a series of illnesses.
Jellis has started three out of four games for Walsall in all competitions in 2026 - including back-to-back league starts for the first time since late October.
Sadler has been pleased, but not surprised by the fight he has shown to overcome adversity.
'We're hopefully getting back to seeing the best of Jamie'
"Jamie has been hugely successful for us since he arrived and I think he has surpassed everyone's expectations for a player coming out of the National League North as he was then," he added.
"Now, he is acclimatising to becoming a regular Football League player and that comes with it's different challenges as well.
"What you'll see with Jamie is that you don't meet many people with as much energy, attitude and enthusiasm as him.
"And I think we're hopefully getting back to seeing the best of Jamie."
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