Walsall debrief: Prime chance for Courtney Clarke as possession figures rise

Walsall had to settle for a goalless draw against Grimsby Town in Lee Grant’s home debut on Saturday.

It was a contest, which fell into the category of an entertaining score-less draw, as Grant continued his unbeaten start at the helm.

Here were the key topics to reflect upon following the weekend...

Clarke impresses (again)

This could be the season that Courtney Clarke sheds his tag as the Saddlers’ utility man.

Clarke predominantly played as a No 8 in Mat Sadler’s 3-5-2, but was often deployed as an impact substitute.

He also played as a wing-back on either side, before playing as a winger towards the end of the season under former interim boss Darren Byfield.

28 of his 53 appearances came from the bench last term, but Clarke has a real opportunity to nail down a regular place on the wing.

The 23-year-old was rewarded for his match-winning cameo at Gillingham with a place in the starting line-up and once again brought an explosive energy to proceedings.

Promising signs from Simper

Simper was very much on the periphery in the opening day win at Gillingham, but he was able to demonstrate his creative prowess against Grimsby, even if the breakthrough didn’t arrive.

He created seven chances in total - according to FotMob - which is the joint-most of any player in League Two in the first two games combined.

Ward keeps another clean sheet

It was a much less busier afternoon for Jed Ward, but he remained focused to produce a crucial late save.

The new Saddlers No 1 is yet to concede a goal and has registered three successive clean sheets.

Those shutouts have been earned collectively, but his actions between the sticks have been instrumental.

In total, Ward has prevented 2.0 xG across the opening two games - with only Crewe shot-stopper Tom Booth bettering that figure (2.1).

Possession

Walsall averaged the lowest possession figures in League Two last term with a lowly figure of 41.4 per cent.

That has not been the case under Grant with the Saddlers’ possession total of 54.3 per cent representing the seventh-highest in the league so far.

They have also been more effective with the ball: registering the second joint-most accurate crosses (7.5), the joint-most big chances created (seven) and the third-most xG (4.4).

Cutting edge missing

A draw was arguably a fair result in the end, but Walsall did have chances.

Aaron Pressley stabbed wide at the back post following a pinpoint cross from Clarke, who then blazed a presentable opportunity over the crossbar from close-range.

Clarke forced a near post save from Christy Pym after the break and Pressley saw another close-range finish smothered.

Walsall finished with an xG of 1.33, as opposed to the Mariners’ 0.85, which points to the fact that they perhaps still need to bolster their attacking ranks before the end of the summer window.