Walsall have been active in the transfer market this summer but their new head coach believes more work is required before the season begins. The Saddlers have already added nine players in recent weeks, with several of the newcomers featuring in a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa at the Bescot Stadium.
New signings given first opportunities in friendly
Defenders Ryan Leak and Declan Skura were among those to start as Walsall faced a strong Villa side. They were joined in the starting XI by goalkeeper Jed Ward, midfield duo Sven Sprangler and Isaac Moore, and striker Andrew Dallas. The match offered a chance to assess fitness and how the new personnel might fit into Lee Grant's plans.
The match result provided a stern test, but the more important measure for the manager is how many of the arrivals can make an immediate contribution. Grant, who took over the managerial reins in May, has made clear that he is building with an attacking intent and wants players who can claim a place in his starting line-up.
“For me, we're still not there and we're still not close. If you just look at the numbers of what's gone out as to what's come in, we're not there yet,”
Grant stressed that recruitment will be judged on quality rather than quantity. His stated priority is to recruit players who can positively influence results and the standard of the squad rather than increasing depth for its own sake.
- Nine new players have joined Walsall this summer (names publicly mentioned include Ryan Leak, Declan Skura, Jed Ward, Sven Sprangler, Isaac Moore and Andrew Dallas).
- Several of the recent signings started in the friendly against Aston Villa.
- Grant wants further additions who can contest for starting places, not short-term stopgaps.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Manager | Lee Grant (first season in charge) |
| New arrivals (mentioned) | Ryan Leak, Declan Skura, Jed Ward, Sven Sprangler, Isaac Moore, Andrew Dallas |
| Transfer window status | Active; further recruitment expected according to manager |
For Walsall supporters, the coming weeks will be important. Pre-season friendlies will continue to provide answers on fitness and formation, but the club's trajectory for the League Two campaign will hinge on whether Grant and his recruitment team can secure players who elevate the starting XI. The manager's insistence on measured, quality additions suggests further moves are likely before the squad is finalised.
As the season approaches, local interest will centre on which positions Grant targets next and whether the new signings can adapt quickly enough to the manager's preferred style of play.
