The Verdict: Another false dawn for Walsall as eighth League Two season beckons

It was an unceremonious end to another disappointing campaign for Walsall.

Admittedly, the damage had been done long before Darren Byfield took the reins on an interim basis, but the Walsall club legend was unable to stop their precipitous slide.

The final day only added salt into gaping wounds. Not only did Walsall have to watch Bromley celebrate winning the League Two title, but they also dropped into the bottom half after Colchester United’s 4-1 win at Cheltenham Town.

That represented the lowest finish since 2022-23 after Walsall had finished their campaign under Michael Flynn with a mere two wins from 23 games.

12 losses in 24 games

It has been a similar tale in terms of how the second half of this season has unfolded. Walsall have picked up just five wins from their last 24 games and have lost 12 in the process - a percentage of 50 per cent since they topped the league on Boxing Day.

Byfield switched to a 4-4-2 for his final game as interim head coach, but his tactical tweaks failed to tame a Bromley side hunting for League Two title success.

Harrison Burke was a surprise selection at right-back and Courtney Clarke started on the left wing - with Kacper Lopata returning from injury to partner Aden Flint in defence.

Aaron Pressley was also recalled to the attack but was unable to shake off his tag for missing opportunities after spurning a number of opening during the first half.

Bromley made Walsall pay just past the half-hour mark when Ben Thompson produced a balletic turn into space and unleashed a stunning shot from 20 yards into the top corner.

Burke was forced off with a knock shortly after and Bromley seized the initiative after the break to double their lead through Mitch Pinnock.

Jid Okeke momentarily halved the deficit, but any hopes of a comeback would prove short-lived, as Omar Sowumni towered highest at the back post to head home another devilish corner delivery from Pinnock.

They proved to be a stumbling block for Walsall all afternoon, as their season fizzled out in miserable fashion.

What next for Walsall - and Trivela?

The question which is on everybody’s lips now is - what does the future hold for Walsall next?

Trivela promised incremental progression, which appeared to be the case last season when they reached the play-off final, even if that did come courtesy of a title and promotion collapse.

Just three wins from the last 21 games saw Walsall blow a 12-point lead at the summit and a 15-point buffer in the automatic promotion places.

That capitulation has hung around like a bad smell for those that have followed - even if many of those responsible are no longer at the club.

Just a reminder, Walsall sat top of the table as recently as Boxing Day and were five points clear of Bromley when they won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Bescot in late November.

Fast forward five months and Bromley were lifting the League Two title after finishing 21 points clear of the Saddlers.

Home woes cost Walsall

Despite the struggles in 2026, Walsall still boasted the sixth best away record in the division - amassing seven more points on the road than they managed at Bescot.

And that has been the major issue. Home form has been dismal - especially since the turn of the year.

Walsall have collected just one win in 12 home games in League Two and have only emerged victorious in three of their last 17 at Bescot.

That wretched spell came after Walsall had managed to collect five wins from their first six on home soil.

A big summer ahead

A big summer lies ahead for Trivela to get the fan base back on board after another season which has seen them fall short.

No fewer than 13 players will be out of contract this summer and a further six loanees will head back to their parent clubs.

That means another summer rebuild will be on the horizon and the onus will be on Trivela to steer the club back in the right direction.

Stewart Mairs will be a major part of that restructure as the new head of football - but it remains to be seen who will be the permanent successor to Mat Sadler in the dugout.

Could the club have pulled the plug earlier on Sadler? It took a run of just two wins in 14 games for him to finally get the axe.

But then the results since suggest that the Saddlers were always destined to slide into midtable mediocrity.

The overriding emotion right now though is relief. This past few months have become increasingly draining and everybody - supporters, players, coaching staff and the board - can escape the suffering for a short time at least.

Football can be a cruel game and Walsall have established themselves as a club of false dawns, as an eighth successive season in League Two beckons.