Walsall opened pre‑season with a 0‑0 stalemate at Leamington on July 3, 2026, under fresh head coach Lee Grant, who highlighted "glimmers and snapshots" of progress despite the lack of a goal.
How did the match unfold?
Grant rotated two completely different XIs across the halves, giving summer signings Jed Ward, Sven Sprangler and Andrew Dallas a chance to impress in the first period. The Saddlers pressed, stretching Leamington’s trial‑goalkeeper and even saw a Dallas strike ruled out for off‑side. In the second half, loanee Isaac Moore and Lewis Simper took over, while academy graduate Elicha Ahui returned after his January 2025 signing. Centre‑back James Connolly missed out with a minor issue, and a trialist guarded the net for the final 45 minutes. No breakthrough came, but Grant left the dugout optimistic.
What does Grant say about the squad?
"We've seen glimmers and snapshots of things I really like," Grant told reporters, adding that the team created plenty of chances but needs to turn them into goals. He praised the players' willingness to adopt his ideas just two weeks in, noting the mix of academy talent - ten youngsters featured - and trialists as evidence of depth. When asked about the number of signings needed, he shrugged, saying the market is tight with the World Cup and Premier League clubs hoarding young prospects. Creativity behind the scenes, he added, will be key to bolstering the roster before the next fixture against Bristol City.
How does this fit into Walsall's current season?
The Saddlers sit 13th in League Two with 65 points from 46 games (18 W‑11 D‑17 L) and a recent form of LLWLL, having lost four straight before a lone win. They have scored 56 and conceded 56, leaving them on a zero goal difference. Their last league result was a 3‑1 defeat to Bromley on May 2, 2026, leaving them 22 points adrift of the leaders. Grant’s pre‑season assessment aims to reverse that trend, hoping the flashes of quality turn into the consistency needed to climb the table.
What are the next steps?
Grant expects the squad to build on the Leamington performance, focusing on finishing drills and defensive solidity. He hinted at further signings, though no exact numbers were given, and stressed that trialists and academy players will continue to feature as the club navigates a difficult transfer market. The next test comes against Bristol City in a friendly, where Grant hopes to see the team in a "much better position" and ready to challenge for points in the league.
