‘Close relationships’ helping Walsall recruitment

Since his appointment, Walsall have plucked Harry Williams and Jamie Jellis from Alvechurch and Tamworth respectively along with Connor Barrett from AFC Fylde this summer.

Barrett has adjusted well to life in the EFL – registering four assists in eight appearances in all competitions.

Williams and Jellis saw their debut campaigns at Bescot marred by injury but both have played important roles in the opening stages of the season.

“Relationships are key and relationships between those local clubs,” Sadler acknowledged.

“I’ve got a great relationship with Mark Fogarty at Alvechurch and we’ve had a few on trial down here that Mark recommended. Harry Williams was one of those.

“Jamie (Jellis) was highlighted through our recruitment guys who said ‘you really need to take a look at this lad’.

“There’s loads of different ways, it’s not just one way. Relationships, numbers, all of those things come together to try and make a decision on a player.

“It was always part of my job description to build those relationships and I knew I’d be able to do that.

“We’ve got players from Stoke, Albion and Birmingham, and we’ve signed players from Alvechurch and Tamworth.

“We’re using every inch of that locality as we possibly can. It doesn’t mean we’ll only sign local players, of course it doesn’t, but it’s a good ground for us to sign from. That’s for sure.”

The likes of Liam Gordon, Taylor Allen, Jack Earing and Josh Gordon also previously hailed from non-league backgrounds but Sadler stressed the importance of complimenting raw talent with a healthy dose of experience.

“You’ve got to throw them into the right environment,” he continued. “Not only have we done that with those guys (Barrett, Williams and Jellis) but then we’ve got Albert Adomah, Jamille Matt and Donervon Daniels in the building.

“All from different walks of their career paths. A good mix is what we need. We don’t want this to be where you start but for it to be the next part of your journey.

“Hungry players who’re desperate to do well, improve and just move forward in their careers. We don’t want anybody who is happy to stand still in their careers but instead who can add to the healthy competition we’ve got here.”