Do you think him turning up here might have been influenced by the Blues head coach being a very satisfied customer of Sadler’s outside business and hence the 2 of them having a good relationship? It’s often the networking between individuals in the game that not their experience/ability that yields results (e.g. Merson’s relationship with Redknapp helping Colin Lee get Gary O"Neil on loan).
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But surely Sadler’s professional relationships are irrelevant when executive level recruitment decisions are data driven?!
Yes and no. If Stirk was already on our radar as a potential target then maybe Sadler’s relationship with Eustace added enough extra into the mix for us to get him rather than another team? Or Eustace could have recommended Stirk to Mat (or vice versa) and there was enough of a match of the analytics to make it a goer?
Who knows? Football is still often as much about relationships and the emotional stuff as it is about hard headed data.
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It’s a Mage, not a wizard. 
He’s probably more into 40K anyway. 
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Got to be honest. I think Stirk and Hussey are pretty big upgrades on the players released. Just not enough of them coming in at the moment.
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If real Estate is your business as you seem to be saying it is. Great. It’s certainly not my area of expertise. Whether the article was written 3 months or 3 years ago I think the title of it is somewhat unfortunate.
‘Matt Sadler. My life as a city business man’
I won’t stoop as low as name calling but I think most people of some intellect could see that. And Ive discussed it with said people.
Ill happily move on from it. And despite people thinking I’m consyantly knocking. To me stirk and Hussey excellent signings
I liked it when Chris referred to Mat as “Sad’s” in his interview, shows that there was some sort of connection there surely (there was but don’t call me Shirley, before anyone else says it…) which possible knocks back the ‘no contacts, not attract anyone’ theory??
Last year was the first year we’ve been anywhere near competent at the back. We’ve had some horrendous defenders over the last 5-6 years. Shay Facey, Matt Sadler himself, Hayden White, Stephen Ward, Ash Taylor, Zak Mills, Reece Devine, Rollin Menayese, Peter Clarke …
Just not true. Our defence has been dog shit other than last season. That’s why I’m surprised people wanted to move away from the system and some of the personnel.
Call me old school but I think the opposite, I’d never call any manager I’ve ever had by their nickname. The players have to respect the boss, he should always known as ‘boss’ or ‘gaffer’. They’re not here to make friends and have a jolly with ‘Sads’ they’re here to win games.
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The butler before last got the sack for calling him " Crods."
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Crod Towers is never an easy place to work.
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He’s been blacklisted by these.
Oops, my bad, just my thoughts and to me showed a link and possible additional reason for him coming to Walsall, other than being nearer to family, uni etc…I don’t take it as unprofessional at all, but that’s my opinion that will no doubt differ to everyone else’s…
We couldn’t agree a fee last season, don’t think that’s our fault as nobody could so maybe Blues were pricing the lad out of a move.
Apparently Sadler wasn’t keen on him last summer, but it wasn’t his decision then of course and so we went ahead trying to sign him.
The fact that we were still in for him this summer makes me wonder whether Stirk is one of Trivela’s signings based on their data/stats.
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It’s just a personal opinion, your point is a good one and probably rings true. I just think Sads shouldn’t be seen as one of the lads now, probably yes last season as a coach where he can play good cop, but now he’s the leader and the players should show him that respect and little things like calling him ‘gaffer’ rather than ‘Sads’ would show that.
Perhaps Sir, or Mister Sadler, would be even more appropriate?
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I think the one thing that makes this signing important is what he brings off the field, he is a winner, not looked it up to be 100% figure perfect but no relegations 5 promotions a couple of play off finals too,
He’s a lower league winner and knows what it takes and we are led to believe he is a leader and will be positive voice in the dressing room
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He was relegated to League One with Coventry in 2012. He won several promotions in the League and also in non-League.
Cheers I didn’t recall that but I think the point still stands
Yes, I think he is a decent signing, and being a part of several successful teams is a good thing.
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