Football Season Review

Walsall are coming from what has been a rather up and down season, as they started their campaign slowly and won only twice in their opening fourteen games, but gradually got better and even dreamed about making the play-offs midway through the season. As is usually the case, the Saddlers eventually fell short of their goal of making the top six, and Dean Smith will be left wondering what would have been had his side had more luck with injuries, as key midfielder Sam Mantom has missed the majority of the season with an injury, while top scorer Tom Bradshaw has also missed a significant portion of the campaign with his own injury problems. Walsall have established themselves as a good footballing side under Smith and this season was no different, but they were once again let down by their frequent inability to turn their pretty play into goals, with this becoming an even bigger problem during periods in which Bradshaw was out injured. The Saddlers nearly made their season a memorable one, as they reached the final of the JP Trophy. However, eventual League One champions Bristol City were too strong for them on the day and ended up lifting the trophy. Walsall suffered a dip in form in the weeks that preceded their big Wembley day, but eventually managed to pick themselves up and at least stir clear of the relegation zone. It was therefore another season which will leave them thinking about what could have been, and their fans will probably once again feel that the Saddlers are only two or three players away from being able to push for promotion.

Player of the Season: Richard O'Donnell