"We're building something" - CEO Ben Sadler addresses Walsall expectations

CEO Ben Sadler believes that “stability” is the key ingredient needed in order for Walsall to increase their chances of achieving the board and supporters’ expectation of promotion to League One.

Walsall are bracing themselves for an eighth successive season in League Two, after plummeting out of promotion contention to finish 13th last season.

That disappointment came just 12 months after Walsall blew a 12-point lead at the league summit, before losing the play-off final against AFC Wimbledon at Wembley.

Sadler stressed that the commitment of the fan base amid recent setbacks has not gone unnoticed - and wants to reassure them that the club are building towards a brighter future.

“This football club is fantastic. It has got an exceptionally committed fan base that follow us up and down the country,” Sadler said.

“That’s not lost on us. There’s an expectation, there’s a feeling that this club - it’s spent a lot of time in League One, it’s flirted in the Championship and had some years there.

“There’s an expectation that we also have, but football is an incredibly competitive environment and you’ve got to build something.

“You’ve got to have stability, be on the same page and work as hard as you can because 23 other clubs are going to be doing exactly the same.

“They all think they’ve got their plans together and they think they’re all buttoned up and have a great opportunity.”