Walsall FC starts their eighth successive season in League Two with a new head coach and a new-look squad. Patience could be required in the early weeks of the Lee Grant era, but that is something which comes in short supply among some sections of the Walsall fan base these days. They have every reason to feel restless too. Twice, Walsall have been in pole position for promotion, and on both occasions, they have fallen short. The downfall was even more precipitous and merciless last term, so much so that the club has undergone a complete overhaul this summer.
What happened?
Walsall have topped League Two at Christmas in each of the past two seasons, but plummeted to an underwhelming 13th-place by the end of the previous campaign. The club has released 12 players, including stalwarts under former head coach Mat Sadler such as Brandon Comley, Charlie Lakin, and Jamille Matt. Sam Hornby and Connor Barrett later followed them out of the exit door, as Walsall well and truly hit the reset button.
Why it matters for Walsall
Every supporter dreams that a new season can breed fresh optimism, but the evidence of pre-season has suggested that there's still a lot of work ahead. Walsall collected just five wins from Sadler's first 19 league games at the helm in 2023-24. Walsall had also gone unbeaten during his first pre-season, which perhaps illustrates that minimal stock should be paid towards the performances, or results, against Leamington, Aston Villa, AFC Telford United, and Notts County.
What comes next?
That is not unusual. Walsall have signed nine players so far this summer, including Jed Ward, who looks set to be the No 1 goalkeeper after joining from Bristol Rovers. The team's next fixture is against Rochdale (away, 2027-02-20), where they are currently first in the table. Walsall will need to settle quickly to achieve their goals this season, but the signs are promising. With a new head coach and a new-look squad, Walsall are ready to take on the challenge of League Two once again.
