Walsall talking points: Lack of goals, Alex Pattison blow and wingers needed

A lacklustre Walsall display ended in a 1-0 defeat to National League North side AFC Telford United at the New Bucks Head on Saturday.

A trialist scored the only goal for the Bucks on the half-hour mark, while an injury blow for Alex Pattison only compounded the Saddlers’ disappointment.

Here are the main talking points from the defeat.

Lack of goals for Walsall are concerning

The lack of goals within the Saddlers’ ranks is becoming increasingly alarming.

Yes, there have been five goals scored behind-closed-doors, but the performances in front of supporters have done very little to create optimism.

In 270 minutes, Walsall have failed to find the net against Leamington, Aston Villa and Telford respectively.

They at least created opportunities in the draw at Leamington and even had a goal ruled out for offside.

And there were promising signs in attack for the first 20 minutes against Villa in midweek until they fizzled out after conceding midway into the first half.

But the lack of chances created in Telford has raised questions over the level of quality in attack.

Albert Adomah rattled the post with a free-kick and Lewis Simper blazed another chance over the crossbar, but that was as good as it got.

Injury blow for Pattison

Pattison wanted to be a leading light for Walsall this season when we spoke in the wake of the Saddlers’ late season implosion last term.

But it seems injury is set to interrupt that quest once again, which was sadly the case in his previous spell at Bradford City too.

Grant has confirmed Pattison suffered a hamstring injury. He will be assessed over the coming days, but it appears Pattison is poised for another spell on the side lines.

Wingers are needed

Grant revealed he wants to add “more speed” to his squad earlier in the week and the Telford defeat once again illustrated of the lack of pace in wide areas.

Courtney Clarke showcased his speed intermittently, but the wide options in the second half highlighted the lack of depth.

Pattison continued on the right during his short-lived cameo from the bench and Lewis Simper switched from a No 10 on to the left wing after the break.

Walsall looked disjointed and far too predictable in their play, as they struggled to break down a resilient Telford defence.

Connolly and Maher return

Summer signing James Connolly captained the team on his first Walsall appearance and played the opening 45 minutes.

Academy graduate Ronan Maher also returned from an elbow injury and made his first pre-season outing from the bench.

Teenage kicks

The majority of the academy players travelled to Scotland to feature in a friendly against Kilmarnock for the under-18s.

Yet, teenage pair Archie Bunn and Will Etheridge remained with the senior squad in Shropshire.

Bunn played the first 90 minutes: playing as part of a double pivot for the first hour, and dropping into left-back for the last half-hour.

Etheridge, who made his league debut on the final day of last season, was also introduced in the second half.