Former Walsall Manager Paul Merson has launched a stinging attack on the small number of fans criticising Chairman Jeff Bonser at the Scunthorpe game last Saturday.

In his column in the Express and Star, Merson says:

“Certain supporters can often be heard demanding that Jeff puts his hand into his pocket to buy better players - and it is totally out of order.
The facts are simple. The money is not there within the club to fund the type of signings that the supporters, and Jeff for that matter, would like to see.
So for the available budget to be increased it would mean Jeff dipping into his personal funds. And while the accounts show he has lent the club money in the past it has to be his decision.

No-one has the right to tell him how to spend his own money.

If Walsall were attracting crowds of 8,000 every week combined with Jeff’s management of the club they would be right up there in the promotion hunt in League One and spending a lot more time in The Championship.
But until that happens they will always find it difficult to attract the improved calibre of player needed to lift them to the next level.

As for the minority calling for Jeff’s head in the wake of this season’s events, it is laughable. Who is going to take over from him and look after the club better than he has, unless they are willing to throw big money at it?

One thing that is certain is that Walsall fans will always have a football club to follow. Jeff has seen to that throughout his time in charge and he will continue to do so for as long as he is there.