I’m waiting for DH forever to come up with some cock and bull story about how there’s a sinister reason behind the new contract
@Andy_Petterson well run and coached teams come out of the pack and go up every season. You are talking rubbish about this time business. This season we are well coached and drilled.
You like scrolling back through old posts. Go look at the ones where several people repeatedly said our way of defending and defensive record was a million miles away from a promotion winning teams metrics. There weren’t signs of improvement as we shelled in goals late on in games like MK and Wimbledon. It was rubbish all season.
So while you peacock around with your told you so attitude - just remember thst defensive record.
And your comment of nobody cares Walsall are winning - you didn’t care when they weren’t ! Happy to turn up and clap away !
You can’t point to one or two anomalies and truthfully suggest they reflect the whole season.
The truth is from December through to April we were among the top 4 teams in the division with a points record not far off where it is now. Even allowing for a late downturn in the last 4 games….where one win would’ve seen a play off campaign.
The improvement has been gradual it hasn’t been the instant success some claim the minute we shipped out one or two and made 2/3 good signings.
The recruitment this summer, mainly in the shape of Lowe, Simkin and Barrett who are streets ahead of what we had along with a fitter Jamille and an improved Stirk has resulted in that continued improvement.
What also needs to be considered is a considerably weaker top end of the table without the likes of Stockport, Mansfield and Wrexham as the sides that came down are nowhere near as strong as those that went up.
18 Likes
I agree with all of your post.
I do think that Lakin and Jellis in midfield have been a big part of our improvement also. I know Jellis was already with us, but he was pretty much a new player to the first team this season. Those two have probably contributed to the improved Stirk also. They very much fit with how Sadler wants to play.
There were a few questionable decisions by Sadler the back end of last season, but this season he seems to stick with the players that have earned the shirt rather than forcing players into the starting 11. We have had a very settled team, which also helps a lot.
Last season was good progress given the starting point, even if it was a little disappointing in the end.
2 Likes
Enjoying his work, enjoying this season, enjoying the way we play. Long may it continue, fair to say he has earned his new contract.
I like his calmness, none of this reactionary rubbish we have had from previous managers.
I just hope this new deal aint the kibosh 
, as Walsall fans we are all looking for the downfall that is peeking around the corner…we just cant help it…
Good post.It is no co incidence that our form improved after Christmas because the injury situation eased. Let us hope the opposite doesn’t happen this year!!!
3 Likes
I wouldn’t worry too much, he only posts on here if there is an ISSA event to promote, if you listen to some anyway.
Probably too busy organising travel to away games for fans, or work in the local community.
3 Likes
People making snide comments don’t realise the work they put in mate and all unpaid.
3 Likes
Playing devils advocate a little, and don’t get me wrong I think he’s doing a fantastic job, but has he been a little fortunate with injuries?
Last season the back 3 improved massively when DD got injured, and this season we’d not have had Harry Williams bossing it if Farq wasn’t a crock.
Most of all though, Sadlers first choice strike pairing was Matt and Gordon, it’s only down to Gordon’s injury that Lowe got more minutes than were undoubtedly planned, and formed a partnership with Matt, who I suspect he was signed to play instead of.
All good managers get a bit of luck though.
4 Likes
Good point. I look at it slightly differently though. Sadler has been backed more than our previous managers. Injuries to Farq, Flash, DD and Hall haven’t had the impact because we’ve had the squad depth.
I remember our form really dropped when we lost Manny Monthe during Matt Taylors time here. I bet Matt, Flynny, Dutton and the rest are looking at the depth of this squad with a little envy and thinking how successful they might have been had they been backed the same way?
Take nothing away from Sadler though - I love the bloke and I’m delighted he’s signed a 3 year contract - hope the backing from Trivela continues as we could be fighting for a championship spot this time next year if it is…
6 Likes
Might sound harsh… and I hope it doesn’t take anything away from Sadler’s success - but I genuinely think those 3 injuries have been one of the reasons for our success this season. I think those 3 were in the first choice 11 - and I don’t think we would have been as dynamic (or as good) in a team with those 3 in. Just my personal opinion.
I think Sadler showed great strength, and showed that he had learnt - by bringing Williams right back in when Daniels was fit (and Williams missed a couple of games). I thought that was brilliant.
6 Likes
It’s part and parcel of the game. I mentioned it earlier in the thread that Fergie admitted he didn’t sign Yotke to play with Cole, but injuries and availability put them together and the rest is history.
I suspect Lowes quality would have dislodged Gordon eventually, I know he’s a good runner but I hate watching him play.
Do you have a source for this claim please? I just find it a little far fetched to believe that having spent about £20m on Cole and Yorke he didn’t intend to play them together.
As for Sadler getting lucky with injuries. I’ve never heard such nonsense.
Tadley Sadler is right to say that Sadler is fortunate to have squad depth previous managers didn’t have though.
1 Like
It’s in Coles Autobiography. Forgive me for not trawling back through a couple of hundred pages for a citation. But I’ve no reason to make it up
As for Sadler. It doesn’t matter if he’s lucky or not. He’s found the formula and is now sticking to it. Unlike last season where he tinkered with things that didn’t need it and got caught out.
1 Like
So you can’t provide the source, which doesnt come from Ferguson anyway. No problem.
Hey I don’t think you’re a malicious guy, I just think you are systematically wrong about things and should be ignored.
2 Likes
Not where I read it … but a quick google finds it
While Sir Alex had big plans for Yorke, the first few months of his United career will tell you the legendary boss didn’t originally picture him alongside Cole. The partnership wasn’t used until October, with Sheringham and Solskjaer both injured. Yorke and Cole both scored in a 3-0 win over Southampton - and the rest is history. “In the first five or six weeks, we didn’t play. I played with Teddy, Ole, and even Giggsy as a centre-forward,” Yorke added
So a bit like Gordon getting injured a fortunate occurrence for Lowe. Even the best don’t know what they have so can’t blame Sadler for thinking Gordon was good enough !
Not sure if you’ll see the parallels but there you go !
So quotes from Yorke this time, again nothing from SAF himself.
It just says Yorke and Cole didn’t play together until Solskjaer and Sheringham got injured, but that’s still a million miles away from claiming SAF never intended to play them together. SAF was probably watching how they got on in training.
It’s then also another gigantic leap to apply the same logic to Josh Gordon, Lowe and Sadler.
Just have a day off.
1 Like
…. There you go
Yes luck comes into it and could be
the difference between abject failure and massive success.