League Two 22/23

[Cas]

We have one of the best budgets in the league and I really like the football we've played under Hughes. Playoffs should be the minimum we're aiming for in my opinion. I'm unsure about Ryan East, but I think I'm now more than happy with Platt, Young and Harratt; Harratt really impressed me in the games I saw him in. Forest Green seem to rate Young and the Barrow fans also think highly of Platt. The keeper we've brought in hasn't played much football, but bringing in Colin Doyle has allayed my fears somewhat. Jamie Walker is probably the best signing we've made so far - he looks too good for League Two. If we can't get it right under Hughes then we might as well just give up!

 

[LS Bantam]

Feel at the minute we’re using the bigger budget on quantity rather than (top end) quality and I’m far from convinced we’re building a squad that anyone else would be jealous of or one that’s bagging auto’s/PO’s as minimum aim.
We’ve renewed a number of bench warmers to go along with plenty of deadwood that’s still under contract and still with four youth players getting pro deals (according to City Vent pod) to come. The three main players we’re still hanging on for in O’Connor, Watt and Vernham are all better than those brought in so far, can add Pereira too. Of the new signings, obviously Walker aside, it’s all built on potential I get that, but these aren’t players as a rule who anyone is missing, Swindon’s 8th choice centre mid, someone who came off the bench now and again for FGR, a Southampton goalie who’s played one season of league football a couple of years ago? I get the Colin Doyle move, as someone who loves the club, as someone who can play and coach, but he was never stand out the last time and if it wasn’t for his wife pining to come back I don’t think he’d be remembered as good as some are making out. Harratt another ‘potential’ player but one who only started five games for Vale.
I can’t see past the massive gaps still to fill into a squad that’s bloated already, I fully appreciate the Hughes effect and how well we played under him since he came in, I get that marquee signings and loans are still to come. I feel like we need to shift quite a few though to balance things out, we’ve had a lightning start recruitment wise and I think I’ve been spoilt by that and keep forgetting how it’s still early days, but so far, I think we’ve only done ‘alright’ this window, it could work and be genius, or we find out why many of these new lads couldn’t regularly start for their former teams.

 

[kieran_vale]

I think we'll be in that strugglers category and you can't really argue with that based off the last two seasons. It's all about gradual improvement for us so if someone offered us 16th and our season being over in March I'd gladly take it.

Interested to see how Sutton will fare too after a big effort this year. I thought Gray would be linked with quite a few jobs as well as losing some of their better players but I haven't seen anything in that regard.

I actually think you'll be improved next season. Comfortable mid-table I'd guess. Always felt last season your team under-performed their actual potential due to some poor management more than anything. Everything have seen with Wild in his previous job indicates he will get more out of those players plus a few additions I think Barrow will be fine.

Agree with you on Gray as well. He was my L2 manager of the year even if in reality was never going to win it. Probably suffers a bit for a perception about Suttons style of play (a little unfairly in my opinion). Suppose the danger for them is second season syndrome especially now most of the division have had a good look at them.

 

[pontoonlew]

So most of us Non League lot cleared off to a new forum, do we have to trudge back onto here now?

 

[Chief Rocka]

So most of us Non League lot cleared off to a new forum, do we have to trudge back onto here now?

Aye unless you just wanna talk to yourselves

 

[Soup Ladle]

I actually think you'll be improved next season. Comfortable mid-table I'd guess. Always felt last season your team under-performed their actual potential due to some poor management more than anything. Everything have seen with Wild in his previous job indicates he will get more out of those players plus a few additions I think Barrow will be fine.

Agree with you on Gray as well. He was my L2 manager of the year even if in reality was never going to win it. Probably suffers a bit for a perception about Suttons style of play (a little unfairly in my opinion). Suppose the danger for them is second season syndrome especially now most of the division have had a good look at them.

Think you're right on Barra, reckon they'll be fine under Wild. There isn't any really obvious struggler but I'm calling it now, there'll be a team you don't expect to go down who will and I'm looking at the likes of Crawley, Crewe, Colchester, Rochdale, Stevenage, Carlisle and us as it stands with about 9 players. It'll be an open season and think there's no obvious runaway promotion candidate or relegation so think points might be spread evenly throughout the division. Too early to call at the minute.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Be interesting to see how much Walsall have to spend now they have had the takeover. It could make them contenders for promotion if Flynn buys right.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Think you're right on Barra, reckon they'll be fine under Wild. There isn't any really obvious struggler but I'm calling it now, there'll be a team you don't expect to go down who will and I'm looking at the likes of Crawley, Crewe, Colchester, Rochdale, Stevenage, Carlisle and us as it stands with about 9 players. It'll be an open season and think there's no obvious runaway promotion candidate or relegation so think points might be spread evenly throughout the division. Too early to call at the minute.

Carlisle & Stevenage will be fine.
I've a sneaking feeling Crewe could go straight through to the hell hole NL.

 

[northstandexile]

Doncaster don’t look in good shape as well as Crewe.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Doncaster don’t look in good shape as well as Crewe.

The jury is well and truly out for us. This is the first pre season we will have had in 4 years where roughly 75% of the squad won’t have been renewed. We hopefully won’t have the injuries this season that we had last, again 7 first team players missed every game. Results and performance was improving towards the end of the season, we have an experienced coach alongside McSheffrey now and got some key back room staff that were missing. If we recruit wisely then who knows. I honestly have zero idea until I see us pre season

 

[Conker]

The jury is well and truly out for us. This is the first pre season we will have had in 4 years where roughly 75% of the squad won’t have been renewed. We hopefully won’t have the injuries this season that we had last, again 7 first team players missed every game. Results and performance was improving towards the end of the season, we have an experienced coach alongside McSheffrey now and got some key back room staff that were missing. If we recruit wisely then who knows. I honestly have zero idea until I see us pre season

It was a while ago now and you’ve had a transfer window but you lot looked L2 relegation worthy in our FA Cup game.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Carlisle & Stevenage will be fine.
I've a sneaking feeling Crewe could go straight through to the hell hole NL.

Yeah you can probably see them stopping up, both Crewe and Donny sound a bit iffy, wouldn't be shocked if one of them had a total mare this season

 

[DearneValleyRover]

It was a while ago now and you’ve had a transfer window but you lot looked L2 relegation worthy in our FA Cup game.

We were awful and have rightly been relegated for it. Optimism comes from having players back that were injured last season, a proper pre season with the right people in charge of fitness and conditioning. It now depends on getting a left back and a couple of strikers through the door

 

[Bone Idle]

Be interesting to see how much Walsall have to spend now they have had the takeover. It could make them contenders for promotion if Flynn buys right.

And therein lies their problem he only made 1 in 5 decent signings for us, the rest were waste of space journeymen from his mates in the elite agency.

 

[Railway Blue]

By a company only formed 1 year ago and with a 'multiple club' business model. Feeling sceptical until I know a lot more about this.

Beware the yanks!

 

[cookiemonster]

Beware the yanks!

Ah yes, separate captains for offence, midfield and dee-fence I seem to recall.

 

[Geosaddler]

Ah yes, separate captains for offence, midfield and dee-fence I seem to recall.

Nah this guy is a winner. Only used the word football in the press conference and not a hint of this strange 'soccer' word.

 

[saddler78]

Benjamin Boycott: Walsall's new owners pledge 'long-term' support and will back boss Michael Flynn

The new owners of Walsall - US sport investment firm Trivela Group LLC - say their commitment to the club is for the "long haul".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Geosaddler]

Benjamin Boycott: Walsall's new owners pledge 'long-term' support and will back boss Michael Flynn

The new owners of Walsall - US sport investment firm Trivela Group LLC - say their commitment to the club is for the "long haul".

www.bbc.co.uk

So are you feeling optimistic, worried or just confused? I thought he came across ok in the interview earlier.

 

[saddler78]

So are you feeling optimistic, worried or just confused? I thought he came across ok in the interview earlier.

Still unsure mate but hopeful we cant keep standing still or declining 15 years of it now apart from one season under Smith.

 

[BarraMatt]

Crewe still doing all the promoting from the inside craic? Bound to bite them in the arse at some point.

 

[AdamStag]

It depends on who we sign in the summer (like everyone else)

If we keep the backbone of the side, maybe another defender (pref left footed) add a little pace in midfield and another forward play like we did in the 2nd half of the season and we’ll be there or there or there abouts.

I hate saying this as i’m quite cautious but i can’t see anyone in this league beating us on our day. it’s just how many of those we have.

 

[BlackCountrySaddler]

What a crazy 48 hours at Walsall!

I understand the worry, but for me we have been sleep walking to non-league & possibly worse for 3 years now. We simply need to try something new.

It seems like this business was set up to start a 'multi-club ownership'. Both Boycott & Ken Polk are very successful businessmen, Polk's company being worth over a reported $12 billion.

Pomlett said when he first took over he would need investment, Boycott has said they are simply here to accelerate the plan. I wouldnt expect us to throw silly money, though maybe a little more than originally expect. Pomlett said we had a competitive budget, Boycott now says we have a very competitive budget, Flynn does not have the budget to blame if he fails to achieve.

Most importantly he wants to buy the ground so the club will own it. He also wants to redevelop & re-open the Saddlers club which will be music to both home and away fans ears!

 

[saddler78]

What a crazy 48 hours at Walsall!

I understand the worry, but for me we have been sleep walking to non-league & possibly worse for 3 years now. We simply need to try something new.

It seems like this business was set up to start a 'multi-club ownership'. Both Boycott & Ken Polk are very successful businessmen, Polk's company being worth over a reported $12 billion.

Pomlett said when he first took over he would need investment, Boycott has said they are simply here to accelerate the plan. I wouldnt expect us to throw silly money, though maybe a little more than originally expect. Pomlett said we had a competitive budget, Boycott now says we have a very competitive budget, Flynn does not have the budget to blame if he fails to achieve.

Most importantly he wants to buy the ground so the club will own it. He also wants to redevelop & re-open the Saddlers club which will be music to both home and away fans ears!

Dont think there is any need to start chucking money around at this level just need to have a decent manager with a competitive budget.our budget was said to be around 10-12th highest early rumours are it will now be top 6 soon see with who we sign.

 

[Bartonyellow]

I bet Poundland are glad they put the money in for sponsorship now. Might give them even more publicity - especially as nothing in their shop is a quid anymore.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Them wanting to buy the ground as a top priority would be one to squeak the bum if I was a Walsall fan.

 

[AdamStag]

What an odd purchase.

If i were an investor i’d stay away from clubs in the 2nd city (of course that’s been manchester for a while) or birmingham as clubs will only get a certain fan base there due to the number of bigger clubs.

I mean if the previous chairman was. dick i wish them all the best of course, and anything that can be done to do up the facilities away would be ideal as the local facilities to walsall are negligible

 

[Agombar stool]

Them wanting to buy the ground as a top priority would be one to squeak the bum if I was a Walsall fan.

Ours also made buying the ground off the council a priority but have done it alongside a supporters trust type model. It'll be interesting to see of Walsall's supporters Trust get involved to make sure these guys aren't just looking to get their hands on the ground for nefarious purposes and actually want to do the best for the club and its supporters.

 

[valefan16]

Owning your ground is fairly big in fairness as if you end up in administration or whatnot you have an asset. Look at the issues Derby are having with their sale over not owning Pride Park, plus you don’t have rent and control all the income from non match day revenue streams.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Owning your ground is fairly big in fairness as if you end up in administration or whatnot you have an asset. Look at the issues Derby are having with their sale over not owning Pride Park, plus you don’t have rent and control all the income from non match day revenue streams.

First thing they'll take off you is the ground if you hit serious admin problems. Asset strippers can sell the ground under their ownership. Council/community owned then it can't be touched. Higher up you can see the advantages but at these levels it's better to have that safety net.