Stewart Mairs outlines Walsall plan to avoid another summer rebuild

Stewart Mairs says Walsall have put “progression plans” in place to reduce the possibility of another summer overhaul at the end of next season.

Walsall released 12 players at the end of last season - while Connor Barrett and Sam Hornby have also since departed for Wigan Athletic and Hednesford Town respectively.

Lee Grant has made three signings so far this summer with the arrivals of defensive midfielder Sven Sprangler, attacking midfielder Lewis Simper and striker Andrew Dallas.

“We want to deliver success and sustainability”

And head of football Mairs has explained that the transfer business completed this summer will also be done with a view to future windows.

“It all adds to our project of how we want to deliver sustainability and success,” Mairs revealed.

“We’re going to have to sign younger players and we’re going to have to develop them.

“The same as we do with our academy because that’s the way we will turn over and make money, and survive essentially.”

Simper and Sprangler have joined on a two-year deals with an option year included - while Dallas has signed for two years outright.

On avoiding future summer rebuilds

And Mairs reemphasised his desire to bring continuity to the squad and avoid a constant churn of players, as he attempts to assemble a squad that is capable of going on a journey with Walsall.

“We’re quite aware of that but it’s about timing, getting those through the doors and making sure your progression plans are in place,” he added.

“You don’t want to be losing five players at the end of the season and having to recruit another five.

“After this market is done, hopefully if we get promoted, I don’t want to be having to sign 15 players again at the end of the season.

“The players that we sign have to be able to come on a journey with us and that’s not just a journey in League Two.

“Everything is about balance and squad balance. We’re all big on that and balancing out the makeup and the profile of the group.

“But also that we have that continuity hopefully when we get promoted at the end of the season.”