Walsall v Swindon Town matchday thread

[DV]

Hypothetically if we did sell McGregor in the summer - its vital & beneficial to all parties that as part of the deal he has a season long loan here.

The absolute best thing for his football development is playing regular first team football. Even if it’s only L2.

[Honkytonk]

If we don't keep Holloway next season it'd be criminal. I've said before but whilst I had my reservations he's done a fantastic job turning the team around. Watching the game I could barely recognise the players from the first half of the season. Do we still have shortcomings, yes, but for so long we've been served up such utter dross week in week out, and gaslighted both on and off the pitch, it's nice to finally have the on pitch stuff heading in the right direction.

Carry the momentum into next season, DON'T bin off 3/4 of the squad and staff, and then let's see where we're at this time next year shall we? If we keep this up, knocking on the door of L1 again, finally.

[STFC_Manc]

The momentum will hopefully help us keep our better players as well next season.

[Audrey]

We’re a weird team, though. At times we look dreadful and hack it anywhere, then we can put a fantastic multi pass move together and look world beaters (L2 notwithstanding).

It was obvious yesterday - especially with Kabongo - that players stepped up to compensate for missing Drinan’s impressive work rate.

[tans]

Im happy to be proven wrong about Holloway, at first i thought it was a disastrous appointment, but football wise he has won me over. Still cant stand the media soundbites but i’ll overlook that..

I hope he signs a new deal and is provided with what he is promised etc, otherwise we will end up being back to square one.

Trouble i have, is the owner has never changed the way he does things, so why would he start now?

Still boycotting till the ownership fuck off mind.

[Tails]

If you actually listen to Holloway talk about football though - the guy clearly knows this game inside out. He says some mental stuff but he knows football.

This board are extremely competent in sabotaging anything good we've got so hopefully we can keep Holloway. We may even have a shot at the top 7 next season with the momentum we're currently carrying (assuming we finish the season strongly). The important thing for Holloway is he's won the fans over, the away end yesterday after the game felt DiCanio era esque.

My worry is that Rovers struggles continue and they poach him.

[tans]

Football wise i agree, the chicken nugget stuff and crap like that is what annoys me

[DV]

Holloway is like 95% sensible, logical, sound football chatter & 5% stupid soundbites but it’s the latter that will get picked up by the media & go viral…

[sir windon]

Football wise i agree, the chicken nugget stuff and crap like that is what annoys me

But is arguably part of his character which enables him to genuinely connect with players and ultimately motivate them in a way that has ensured a remarkable transformation on the pitch?

[Bob's Orange]

We’re a weird team, though. At times we look dreadful and hack it anywhere, then we can put a fantastic multi pass move together and look world beaters (L2 notwithstanding).

It was obvious yesterday - especially with Kabongo - that players stepped up to compensate for missing Drinan’s impressive work rate.

In a nutshell, this is probably the ingredients to succeed at this level. Be solid and organised at the back, know when to get rid of it, and play your football in the right areas. When was the last time we gave away a really dopey goal? I.e from a backpass or the keeper doing something daft on the ball for example?

[Peter Venkman]

A very special mention for Connor Ripley who has only conceded 1 goal in his first 3 games for the club.

The whole defence looks way more comfortable with a competent and confident keeper behind them, he comes to claim crosses, makes saves and can actually catch a ball.

Hes the keeper we have been calling for - for a few seasons now.

[Batch]

It's going to be an interesting summer. A couple of additions and a couple of ejections (hall) and the squad is good to go.

I did not think I'd be saying that at all. Smith was right, I was wrong, this isn't a relegation squad after all.

But we haven't kept hold of a single squad since Clem took over

[Nemo]

The good thing is that it is a whole squad improvement - we don't have a Kemp or Young or Payne who is just critical and we couldn't do without.

Probably interest in Wright and Smith but neither feel like they couldn't be replaced if they had to be

[Peter Venkman]

But we haven't kept hold of a single squad since Clem took over

Thats not just us as a club though, its pretty common accross all clubs at this level, very few clubs ever keep the neucleus of the previous seasons squad any more.

All too regularly players are on single year contracts now and if the team finish in high midtable (which appears to be our trajectory) then understandably several players will try their luck at a different club if they have done fairly well in the season. Its not always down to the club but often the player wishes to further his career elsewhere.

[DV]

I think a lot of summer is going to be based on who will sign new deals & who might go else where for more money / a longer contract / a better location based on half a season of decent play.

Apart from the likes of Uwakthing (been so long I’ve forgotten how to spell his name) I’d be happy if all the others stayed - which is exactly the opposite of what we were all saying in December.

Our any of our loanees OOC in the summer? …and potential additions for next season aside from Nichols?