An irregular review of all non-events in the close season.

Walsall to do their best as chief scout appointed
Neckerchief and woggles optional for David Hamilton, the new chief scout for the Saddlers, and the first to earn some pay off Uncle Jeff for scouting since Pedagogue was a boy. Hamilton’s worked with Hutchings before, so this is another piece of backroom jigsaw, and a diversion from twelve months ago, when a certain managerial candidate was told he couldn’t bring in anyone else.

We think this is a positive move, reinforcing the long-held view that as we can’t afford quality, we may as well at least try to develop it and sell it ourselves.

Saddlers aim for bulls hit
A friendly has been arranged away against Hereford, meaning we can once more visit this lovely Welsh border town and meet the welcoming six-fingered residents. (extra) Fingers crossed they’ve bought some oil for the turnstile gates and that they’ll have more than 1 open before kick-off, which won’t be delayed, however many are left waiting outside.

Best avoid this match if you get high blood pressure from watching small town ineptitude. If that’s you, block out your diary for Saturday August 1 from (say) 2pm.

Use it or lose it!
Martsky & Hutch have got tough on the contract abstainers, advising them that offers will start be withdrawn if the players continue to pussy around.

Given that we’re used to operating in the dregs of the market, this is a welcome move, reminding the players that (Palmer excepted) the Premier League teams aren’t coming in for them, and there’s plenty more where they came from.

Jabo does enough to earn a contract
With the Franchise, we think. His burst of activity towards the end of the season, when he reckoned he might be out on his ear after being pushed down the pecking order, might have borne fruit. MK Dons, on the receiving end of one of his rare goal-bound efforts, look to be hunting his signature. See ya, Jabo. Loved your work rate.

That’s all for now. We’ll bring you news of the new signings as soon as there are any.