Walsall



Odds: 12/1









Last Five Seasons

2005/06 - 24 (League One Relegated), 2004/05 - 14 (League One), 2003/04 - 22 (Championship, Relegated), 2002/03 - 17 (Championship), 2001/02 - 18 (Championship).



2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup Fourth Round vs Stoke City (a) - lost 2-1.

Carling Cup First Round vs Crystal Palace (a) - lost 3-0.

Football League Trophy Southern Section Semi Final vs Swansea City (a) - lost 6-5 on penalties with the score at 2-2 after extra time.



Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Matty Fryatt (striker) - 14 goals.



Players In

Tony Bedeau (Torquay United - Free), Martin Butler (Rotherham United - Free), Michael Dobson (Brentford - Free), Clayton Ince (Coventry City - Free), Hector Same (Port Vale - Free).



Players Out

Daryl Taylor (Bournemouth - Free), Steve Staunton (Released), Taiwo Atieno (Released), Dean Coleman (Released), Andy Oakes (Released).



Walsall finished rock bottom of League One last season but are one of the favourites for promotion according to the bookmakers. Club captain Dean Keates revealed the Saddlers endured a punishing pre-season training regime in the hope it will give them an extra edge when the new season begins in August.



A chronic goals shortage was one of Walsall’s weaknesses last season and there was nobody to replace top goal scorer Matty Fryatt when he departed for Leicester City during the January transfer window. Manager Richard Money has addressed this during the summer and signed two new strikers.



Striker Tony Bedeau arrived on a free transfer after finishing as the Gulls’ top goal scorer last season with 11 goals. The 27 year old Grenada international made almost 350 appearances for the club since making his debut in 1995.



Rotherham United striker Martin Butler, who began his career with Walsall and made his debut for the senior side in the 1993-94 campaign has returned to the Bescot Stadium on a free transfer.



Money made Brentford captain Michael Dobson his third signing of the close season following the defender’s release from the League One side. Dobson was Brentford's longest serving player and made nearly 200 first-team appearances for the club.



The return of former Derby County midfielder Darren Wrack will be like a new signing. He has been sidelined since breaking his leg in early September 2005 and is almost ready to make his comeback after 12 months out of the game. Midfielder Michael Standing has left Walsall by mutual consent despite signing a two year contract extension in May 2005.



Verdict

Manager Richard Money has used the transfer market well this summer and the Saddlers should be good enough to secure a play off place at the very least, although the supporters will expect a top three finish.

By: David Walker

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David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.