Walsall brace and promotion with Bradford - who is Saddlers new boy Alex Pattison

Here is the lowdown on the latest arrival at Bescot.

A brief history...

He joined Middlesbrough's youth ranks aged nine, but never made a first team appearance. 

Loan spells at York City and Yeovil Town followed, before Pattison finally left Boro following a 13-year spell to join Wycombe Wanderers. 

His first season heralded promotion via the League One play-offs in 2020, but he departed after making just six appearances in the Championship during his second season. 

In two seasons at Harrogate Town in League Two, Pattison hit double figures in his debut season and a further nine in his second. 

After joining Bradford in 2023, Pattison scored three goals in his first four appearances for his new club. 

Although injury reduced him to just 36 starts for the Bantams, Pattison became a hit with the supporters for his goal scoring heroics during their promotion-winning campaign last term. 

Pattison netted seven and set-up five - including a brace in a 3-0 win over Walsall at Valley Parade in January 2025 - to help propel Bradford back into League One after a six-year hiatus.

He has scored twice for Bradford in all competitions this term, but missed the back end of 2025 due to an Achilles issue. 

What will Pattison bring to Walsall?

Walsall have not scored enough goals from midfield this season and Pattison could provide what they have been desperately lacking. 

Ryan Finnigan had netted four times in all competitions prior to his recall by Blackpool, but all three of his league goals came in November. 

Besides from Finnigan, Charlie Lakin and Courtney Clarke are the only other Walsall midfielders to find the net in League Two this term, both once each.

So the addition of Pattison is likely to provide Walsall with a goal scoring option in the heart of midfield, which could prove vital in the second half of the season. 

Where will Pattison play for Walsall? 

Pattison should slot seamlessly on the right of Walsall's midfield triangle where Finnigan had previously played. 

Suddenly, a midfield trio of Brandon Comley at the base and Lakin to his left looks a lot more experienced than before. 

Walsall will then have the likes of Clarke, Jamie Jellis, Rico Richards and Jake Hollman providing cover and competition. 

Are there any concerns over Pattison? 

The only concern, and it could be a big one, is Pattison's injury record. 

It plagued him throughout his two-and-a-half seasons at Bradford and that might mean Mat Sadler is required to manage his minutes for the first few weeks of his spell at Bescot.