I don’t disagree. Two managers now though, that won’t play him. Maybe if Dutton goes he might get a chance, but under the current situation I’d rather free up the wage for someone the manager will actually put out on the field
But if he turns out to be a decent player for the club , which I think he could be if guided and coached properly , could be an asset . Think he is a better player than some that are getting game time now that’s my point .
I think you’re just about right. You hardly see him getting a firm downward header, it’s usually skimming off the top of his head!
Totally agree. Not sure what Nolan’s done wrong.
I absolutely get your point mate, and don’t disagree.
We haven’t really been hammered so perhaps the defence isn’t to far away from being good enough.A decent striker and a midfield that could chip in with a few goals and things could turn round.
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Totally agree. In the limited glimpses we have seen, he has looked decent and to me would only get better with minutes. Very bizarre situation.
I don’t think it’s because we have a decent defence, i think it’s because everyone we have played just haven’t been any good 
lets face it, we have given half the sides we have played some real gifts
If we are serious about improving on this seasons disaster, there is no way we can retain 13 from the current group. 8/9 at most.
Do you not think though, that had we kept Elijah and added a strike partner and a couple of other decent players, we would be right up there?
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To add to your valid point about Adeboyo, Holden has been a very major miss as well.
I just feel there are far too many that don’t deserve extensions. I would call many within the squad - ‘steady players’. We desperately need more creativity. I would focus on replacing the considered fringe/ questionable players with creativity. I honestly think this will make a massive difference to the group and our chances of success next season.
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Yes I do agree with that the defensive side of this team isnt bad at this level we are just toothless going forward and that’s not just the strikers we have too many defensive players we need 2 decent strikers and 2 decent attacking midfielders to go with the likes of Kinsella and Bates
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I’d be happy to see the back of this entire squad to be honest. They’ve been part of one of the most disappointing and unattractive eras in the clubs history.
If I HAD to keep players it’d be Holden and Rose. The rest can go. Tat.
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I’m really not sure about the infatuation for Rose in goal. He makes few mistakes but he doesn’t make worldy saves either. I’m not sure which is more important to the team right now.
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Tbf I’d love Rose to be given a prolonged spell to show what he’s actually made of.
Worries me a bit that after all Roberts mistakes there’s obviously something they see in Rose that they still think he’s worse.
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I think it’s a case of Hobson’s Choice with some decisions, regarding player retention and recruitment at Walsall this summer.
Rose, Roberts, Kinsella and Bates are all under contract, as far as I know. Would we accept a cash offer for any? Yes. Are we likely to receive any? Probably not. Therefore, they stay…
It is interesting to compare Walsall with Coventry’s recent upturn in fortunes under Robins (whilst trying to cope with the albatross around its neck of The Ricoh Arena). Some will also remember the fantastic 4:1 win over Coventry in the days of Jamie Paterson. Again, his departure helped to finance Smith’s ‘breakthrough’ season, having secured the permanent signing of Romaine Sawyers, released by our local footballing neighbours, WBA.
Do we want to play at Sixfields or (God forbid) St. Andrews? Hell no! But having Walsall play as a lower half Championship team, like Coventry right now, would certainly help to place the club on a more stable financial footing.
I mention Coventry because their backroom staff is predominantly ex Walsall players; they paid money for Bakayoko which paid for Keates’ last minute transfer dealings (where due diligence was clearly neglected). When Walsall were relegated under Martin O’Connor (as caretaker boss), Kinsella won Player of the Year, was out of contract and it was seen as a real coup when he signed on again under Clarke. He was certainly heavily linked with Coventry that summer. Instead, they got a great loan from Villa in Callum O’Hare (a small box to box midfielder) who flourished. After their promotIon, they signed him permanently for £250,000 to maintain their growth in the Championship. The big difference? Assists and a handful of goals from midfield.
Meanwhile, at Walsall, George Dobson and Andy Cook’s departures led to the financing of Darrell Clarke’s signings and the cycle goes on…
This year, we could have cashed in on ‘player of the year’ Gordon and his injury set our season back. Instead we got money for 2 players that would have gone for nothing in the summer. You win some, you lose some, you could say.
Any appointment of an ex Walsall player as Director of Football seems possible: Dean Holden, Paul Simpson (and add Keith Downing to the trio) were all ‘great appointments’ for Bristol City just a year ago. Could the club get some / any / all in the summer? Perhaps. The Bristol City link (Holden, Nurse, Pring) has certainly been fruitful of late.
If Doncaster don’t secure promotion will they go for Kenny Jackett and leave Andy Butler available? Who knows but whether it is Doncaster, WBA (Jimmy Shan) or the Robins, we need to attract players to Walsall from a higher tier team.
Hopefully, Dean Smith, O’Kelly and Shakespeare can help us find the next Callum O’Hare or Harvey Knibbs to come to Walsall from Villa (Tyriek Wright?) because he could be our next Romaine Sawyers.
One player with creativity (think Ledesma, Bukran, Oztumer, Sawyers in style) can turn a workmanlike team of youth and journeymen into a team that is exciting to watch for long suffering Walsall fans. This will get the crowds up, along with a regular goal scorer (they don’t come cheap though).
Whether it is Coventry (Viveash) or Bristol City (Holden) or Doncaster (Butler) or even Ipswich (Walker), if we can recruit one of these and find a player in their image, we are capable of mounting a promotion challenge.
I apologise for the rant but I honestly think that this appointment is the most important decision in the club’s recent history, so it deserves some real deliberation. Get the appointment right, and we can then start building again from solid foundations and have a club to feel optimistic and excited about again!
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Rose has done nothing wrong. Roberts has a clanger every couple of weeks. Rubbish
It’s a good idea, but I’ve spotted a flaw in your plan.
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Nothing wrong but nothing exciting either…like I said no wonder saves.
So you either get wonder saves evey match and a clanger every other game or a nondescript goalie.
If you get rid of the lot the next bunch will have 50% duff and so the cycle goes on. Keep the best of this bad bunch I say.
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