Sadlers deal didn’t run out but he got better terms and a new deal on the back of a good run.
You can’t tell me we won’t have players who think their worth has gone up during this run. Maybe Barrett is a good example. Tied in on 3yr deal. Had smashed L2. Knows he is worth more but why should we entertain new and improved terms he’s under contract. Rightly he should be told crack on
But the optics of your gaffer getting a deal while those who graft for him don’t. It will have rattled cages no doubt. It’s human nature !
He was excellent, very knowledgeable on our players as well despite being the Carlisle commentator, some of the away commentators have been really shit on that. Didn’t miss much either and was pretty even.
Sadler was never the manager that I really wanted.
For this season in 24, he has been really lucky.
Now in 25, he is showing what his skills are, and is failling.
Sadler out before we mess it up
According to Sadler Walsall played “brilliantly” against Carlisle and that he is not concerned as our form has deteriorated so drastically. Does he see the same games that we all see! So going from runaway leaders to hopefully crawling over the line is ok. We will be lucky to get promoted at this rate if we continue as we are.
When DJ was given some extended time in the side, notably against Bradford, there were a few on here agreeing with Sadler that he didnt fit the side or system and he should be shipped out in the window.
Now Sadler is an idiot again and DJ is the answer to all of our prayers.
I wouldn’t say he is the answer to our prayers, but there have been some poor decisions from Sadler in recent games. With 20 minutes left on Tuesday, we were getting on top, despite carrying Jamille, who could barely walk. There is an opportunity to stick on DJ and try and win the game.
Cheltenham away, there were definitely mistakes made there that cost us the game.
I mean, this is a message board. I write these opinions, and that is all they are, without anything at all against Sadler. Still fully behind him.
I’ll be there Saturday, cheering them on, no matter what.
I am not silly enough to think Sadler should be sacked, or not deserving of time and what not. They’re daft even being brought up to be honest.
However, from a personal point of view (and it seems many others) I just can’t really take to him that much. I’ve often thought about why, was it because he was the perceived ‘cheap’ option? The over positive interviews? The form in early parts of the 23/24 season?
For me it’s the style of football. I 100% agree with anyone who says it’s been effective, exciting at times, and got us to where we are - but I just can’t take to it, rather than anything personal about Sadler. He seems a level headed and nice guy, and I am very happy for him.
To play devils advocate, I wouldn’t suggest extended time in the side constitutes 57 mins against Bradford. On the flip side two games later he came on with 19 minutes to go and rescued a point against Salford.
What I’m seeing people say is he is an option, against the back drop of playing a RWB/Winger up front, a player we are looking to develop from Bromley, or running an ageing Matt into the ground.
I’m probably one of Sadlers more vociferous critics on here but I said at the start of the season clean slate and if he delivering or close to delivering promotion he stays in a job.
As much as I don’t like what’s gone on since January he stays till the end of the season now.
If he fails to deliver promotion - he goes
If he delivers promotion but after 10-15 games we are turning out the rubbish we have since January with a points tally that points to a relegation battle - he goes
If at any point after promotion the teams performance or points accumulation points to relegation - he goes
For me it’s more about when you play DJ.and how you play to him .and with who along side .and there lies Sadlers problem.and ours as a team .who are so one dimensional .Im pretty sure if Sadler does play DJ it will be in the same team set up and style we’ve had all season .probably hoofing balls up to him in the air .DJ needs a player like Hall in the side someone who can find a pass and put him in .Unfortunately I don’t see one ,Jellis on occasions but he’s not as smart as Hall was .
I’m in agreement @Thanatos. Sadler’s team and style was woeful up until ‘D’ day versus Notts County away (December 2023). We had one or two good wins (Wrexham, Grimsby) before reverting to type. We had a great burst for 5 games, before blowing a gasket again.
In pre season, I feared for us, but Sadler turned it round spectacularly.
Our Plan A (with Lowe, Hall, Earing etc) worked a treat.
I know results were never going to remain the same but since the middle of January, we have lost our grip on games and not adapted.
We are awful in possession, and our midfield don’t ‘boss’ games like a top team should.
I get the high press stuff, but we have to look after the ball as well, especially if you haven’t got a Lowe to score a goal out of nothing.
The shape and gameplan changed in January.
For the most-part since, we have been dreadful to watch and the ‘fire’ has died in a few bellies.
A ball-playing midfielder should have been a minimum to compensate for the change in style.
Awful January recruitment for me. Only Harrison (jury’s still out) was average/above average. Can’t judge 3/4 of them, as they are deemed not good enough by Sadler (or he’s forgot about them!).
Sadler cannot afford to coast to the line. He needs to prove the first 5 months of this season were not a fluke in his 20 month reign!
And that’s a fair post. I remember missing more matches in the Richard Money promotion season than I had for a while because, quite frankly, I detested the style of play we had under him.
I’m interested in what it is about the style though. I thought the match at Notts County, only 2 months ago, was one of the finest halves of football I have ever seen a Walsall team play. It reminded me of that night at the Arsenal in the League Cup, when we relentlessly attacked them and there was only one side in it.
I do appreciate your comments about him being a good guy and a decent, level headed manager, which I personally find very appealing. We’ve had the sort who get high when we win and depressed or angry when we lose and that just isn’t going to cut it in the modern game, or in modern management.
What he certainly doesn’t deserve is the abuse he’s getting, when he has us top of the league. It beggars belief that we have a vocal minority calling for him to be sacked. Would he be the first league 2 manager to be sacked when he’s taken the club to the top of the table. I also detest the lack of respect for what he’s done so far - suggestions that he has been “lucky” or that it’s all down to other people at the club and no credit should be given to Sadler. It’s pathetic, to be honest.
Couldn’t agree more I find myself watching most games thinking our best chance to score is from a corner or free kick .we’re sadly lacking on the creative side .
Some want him to start every week, some want him to start one game in three or four. Some maybe even think putting him on at 65/70 minutes in a drawing game against the league’s bottom club is the way to go.
Only one man really is thinking putting him on with two minutes to go is the logical option. If Sadler had done that against Salford that would’ve been another lost game in the last two months.
I don’t think there’s the slightest chance of Mat Sadler being removed because cheap option or not we are top of the table (for now).
I’ve never had a conversation with him but in his interviews he is generally respectful of the supporters, players and opposition.
He doesn’t look for scapegoats unlike some managers and is usually upbeat.
On the other hand I do feel his loyalty to stick with something that until January was going brilliantly is there to be questioned such as mentioned above about the Cheltenham game where he definitely ought to have changed things instead of throwing two points away. The same at Carlisle he left players on who were running on empty and then finally puts Danny Johnson on with hardly enough time to break sweat which to me is quite bizarre.
Ultimately it’s his head on the block and therefore quite rightly his call so I will continue to support the team even if the unthinkable happens which would be absolutely devastating for everyone.
Not sure many are saying MS is an idiot - stubborn is what is commonly aimed at him…
Also, don’t think many are stating DJ is the answer to all of our prayers…
That said, if you look at the facts, MS is resisting changing things even though the team looks almost completely knackered and loan players aren’t getting a look in….
Our goals are drying up rapidly at the same time we are conceding more - we need the strikers to score and MS choices are poor in that regard…
The two things are factual this is why folk are frustrated…