And don’t forget that MF gave Comley a try at CB in one of the Papa John games (he didn’t do too shabbily either).
As others have suggested it feels very much the same as last season. To be fair we didn’t do too bad when Johnson was here, and hopefully, Draper will contribute much more than Andy Williams did.
I have no idea what the budget is like or what is left but it feels like we are two quality signings away from a good team but will probably only be signing squad fillers now if I had to guess.
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Definitely feels like we are building for the future with the signings of Williams,Stirk,DJT,Jackson, and Farquharson.
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Anybody au fait (French - also sometimes used in English) with the score?
I daresay I will get shot down by the usual suspects. But let’s start with a disclaimer; if you’re a fan that can keep your feet on the floor and realistically expect a finish between 9th and 13th in Division 4 then, cool.
There have definitely been some positive improvements but there has also been a lot of hot air with very little to back it up. The squad as it stands, and looking at the other teams, sees us comfortably midtable next season.
First of all it was we cant compete at the top end of league one. Then, we cant compete to stay in league one. Then, we cant challenge at the top end of league two. And now, after 5 years, we are looking at league two and wondering how we are ever going to compete with the top 10. Looking at teams that came up from non league expecting them to be above us…
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It’s not good enough but I’d take mid table now
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I think a top half finish would be a good season. More important are the signs that we are progressing/have a clear strategy on and off the pitch.
This is exactly my thoughts.
Lets get over our unrealistic expectations… be happy we didnt drop out the league and build properly from now on.
Invest in the football, build the fanbase then maybe in 5 years we can sit back in mid table league one sustainably.
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I don’t think that was the point he was making to be fair.
Why is competing for a top 7 place in division 4 an unrealistic expectation for Walsall. I can’t and won’t ever accept that.
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Yes, that is what I was thinking of.
In the old says, 5 at the back often meant a back 4 with a “sweeper” who is a decent ball player. Comley would fit that role.
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I might of miss read what he was trying to say! it just seemed similar to what I wrote in another thread… 
To me we are too far away from top 7 and havent shown capacity to get to that level for some time.
If we didnt have high expectations we wouldnt have a fan base but i feel we are consistently over expecting based on ‘status’ we just dont have anymore.
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It isn’t, but you have to accept other teams in the division have more momentum than us, and as such it is not unrealistic to think top 7 is out of reach this season.
Of course would be delighted if we did.
May as well not bother then really. I’m not even saying failing to finish top 7 is a failure but to go into the season accepting it is out of our reach is another matter.
My attitude towards following Walsall has changed over recent years. I’ve been one of the daft sods that followed them without a thought no matter how bad we were. Maybe I’ll just leave it now until we decide it is realistic to challenge the top 7 in the basement division.
I’m just saying if we don’t finish top 7 next season it’s not necessarily a disaster.
I know we’ve been patient as a fanbase long enough, but there are no shortcuts unfortunately
Not one of us has seen any consistent good form or success for years. It doesnt stop us coming back (well most).
All I need is to see effort and drive from players wearing the shirt. It also helps that football is considered the top priority rather than finance or board members.
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There is no guarantee in football even if you think you have the team in place to do it.
I get it, we have declined so far that it feels a long way back, but the aim for Walsall F.C every season we are in this division should be top 3 in my opinion.
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Yeah I keep coming back and dragging the kids along. Last season did a lot of damage to my mind regarding Walsall F.C, I can’t ever recall being so bored in over 40 years of following us home and away.
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2nd half was decent once Stirk and Allen came on and Knowles was more alive
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Agree we should not accept treading water in this division for all his faults and i was no fan Bonser would not have either Pomlett and co have had an easy ride so far.
Stockholm syndrome!