Walsall - The Forgotten Team of West Midlands

[owen7]

It could go either way, this month didn't seem to be as productive by losing 3. You can still do it though

Btw any chance of commenting so then I will do an update:
http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/f81/arsenal-a-niel-error-t45188.html
Cheers

 

[DanWalsallFC]

LOCAL LAD TO MISS WEMBLEY?

Steve Jones and Alex Nicholls - 2 central figures to any Saddlers success this season

It was supposed to be the highlight of his career so far, but instead 23 year old Alex Nicholls has only been given a '10%-20%' chance of being fit for the final.
He was injured during Walsalls 2-0 victory over Leyton Orient last weekend in which he set up one goal and scored the other. This will be a big blow to Walsalls chances as he is currently the clubs top goalscorer on 11 goals.

I am gutted. I was really looking forward to it but everything happens for a reason, I'll be supporting the lads in the stands. I wouldnt want any other physio helping me though to be fair, Jon Whitney is fantastic and I know he'll do his best with me to get me fit.
Said Alex Nicholls, who has been at the club since he was 16. Now he's 23.​

---------- Post added at 03:21 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 06:12 PM ----------

​

5th March 2011
Walsall 2-0 Leyton Orient
Goals: Matt Richards '31 Alex Nicholls '59

8th March 2011
Walsall 1-0 Swindon
Goals: Ryan Donaldson '54

12th March 2011
Charlton 1-0 Walsall

19th March 2011
Walsall 4-1 Notts County
Goals: Darren Byfield '1 '26 Ryan Noble '11 Manny Smith '53

23rd March 2011
Brentford 0-1 Walsall
Goals: Matt Richards '90+2
​

We are currently 9th.
We are 2 points from play-offs.
We are 23 points from relegation.
39 Games played.

Player of the Month

Matt Richards
Midfielder​

---------- Post added at 03:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 AM ----------

WALSALL VS MK DONS
Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2011

So here it is. A very historic day for Walsall Football Club. A club in its 123 year history have not only never won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - They've never even been to Wembley!
MK Dons on the other hand, in there short 7 year history are looking to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for a 2nd time.

Daniel, how do you feel?
I am so excited, turned up in our suits, a packed stadium. Fantastic day, we want more of these days!

Are you glad that you can get a way from the league for a little while?
Yeah it's different. Great day out for the fans isnt it, that's the main thing, making sure they go home happy.

Is it true you've banned players from coming out and taking pictures?
Yep, we're here for a football match not a Wembley Tour.

Is Alex Nicholls fit to play?
He'll be in the squad one way or another.

Daniel has named his side ahead of the final:
GK: Jonny Brain
DR: Frank Simek
DC: Manny Smith
DC: Clayton McDonald
DL: Ryan McGivern
MR: Steve Jones
MC: Paul Marshall
MC: Steve Jennings
ML: Julian Gray
ST: Ryan Donaldson
ST: Ryan Noble ​

Subs: David Bevan, Darryl Westlake, Jacob Mellis, Richard Taundry & Matt Richards​

 

[rok17]

I like your layout and writing, hope you get Walsall to Wembley.

Also if it's not a bother could you check out my story: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/f81/oh-la-dea-help-us-atalanta-story-t45252.html

Tnx.

 

[CelticBalloon]

This is an amazing read, loving the layout and the writing style. Keep up the good work and good luck at Wembley, would be a sin for you not to win. Also good luck with getting Walsall into the play-offs.

 

[DanWalsallFC]

JPT - Walsall 1-2 MK Dons

REFEREE RUINS WALSALLS BIG DAY!

MK Dons lifted the Johnstone's Paint Trophy

Walsall went to Wembley today for the first ever time in their 123 year history but it wasnt to be as MK Dons ran out 2-1 winners, luckily it seemed.

Walsall were totally on top of MK Dons from the first minute but were unable to take there chances as Jermaine Easter put MK Dons ahead on the 14th minute.
It didnt stop Walsall though as they continued to push for an equaliser. They went in at half time 1-0 down but with Walsall having 60% of the posession the fans were still upbeat.
Unfortunately for Walsall they still couldnt take there chances and were missing Darren Byfield who was away on international duty with Jamaica.
Alan Gow put MK Dons 2-0 up on the 65th minute but that only made Walsall more hungry for goals. Just 4 minutes later young loanee Ryan Donaldson had put Walsall back into the game and were on top for the rest of the game.
Matt Richards came on for Julian Gray with 5 minutes remaining and in the 90th+2 minute a Steve Jones cross was met by the head of Richards 6 yards out, as the MK Dons goalkeeper Martin failed to collect the cross. Richards made it 2-2 and the Walsall fans were ecstatic, only for Steve Bennett the referee to rule it out due to a foul by Matt Richards on the goalkeeper, replays have since shown no contact was made.
Walsall 1-2 MK Dons

Daniel, you were unlucky out there today how do you feel?
I am gutted for the fans, I can only apologise. We played really, really well and that shows by us having 17 shots to there 5 shots. We could of won this by 3-4, we had so many clear cut chances too.

What's your aim now?
To take this club to the Championship, this season.

Do you think you can?
Ofcourse, we're only 2 points off the play-offs and I am going to do my hardest to take this club up. This season is the season.

Did you miss Byfield today?
Yeah we did, its ridiculous that he was called up to a Jamaican friendly match when we had a final, ridiculous.​

 

[burkeyoa]

Unlucky mate. Keep up the good work tho.

 

[Poppa_ChesterCityFC]

Enjoying this mate. Keep it going

 

[DanWalsallFC]

April/May

WALSALL MISS OUT
​

2nd April 2011
MK Dons 0-2 Walsall
Goals: Steve Jennings '11 Darren Byfield '23

9th April 2011
Walsall 1-1 Barnsley
Goals: Darren Byfield '46

12th April 2011
Walsall 4-0 Tranmere
Goals: Steve Jones '1 Clayton McDonald '36 Ian Goodison (OG) '38 Ryan Noble (PEN) '78

16th April 2011
Yeovil 0-1 Walsall
Goals: Darren Byfield '64

25th April 2011
Crystal Palace 1-0 Walsall

30th April 2011
Walsall 0-1 Plymouth

7th May 2011
Rotherham 2-0 Walsall
​

We finished 9th.
9 points off Play offs
26 points off relegation

Player of the Month

Darren Byfield - Striker​

---------- Post added at 02:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 PM ----------

DANIEL COULD WALK

A section of fans protesting for Jeff Bonser to sell up

Reports are once more surfacing that Walsall manager Daniel is prepared to resign from his position as manager of Walsall Football Club if chairman Jeff Bonser doesnt give him money to spend.
Daniel is meeting Jeff Bonser sometime next week to discuss targets and budgets and will hand in his resignation straight away if Bonser doesnt cough up the cash.

The fans staged a protest at the end of the season, again calling for Jeff Bonser to sell the club.

He really is unhappy at Walsall at the moment due to the tight budgets. He is very pleased to have given the club a play-off shot last season and wants to build on that and automatically go up next season but if Bonser isnt prepared to show the same ambition he may do exactly what Richard Money did just a few seasons ago, and walk, giving his excuse that he was showing more ambition than the board.
Said a source close to Walsall FC.

I will be discussing transfers soon with Daniel but that's as much as I am prepared to say right now.
That is what Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser said.​

---------- Post added at 03:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:22 PM ----------

DANIEL RELEASES THREE

David Bevan - One of three released.


Today Daniel released 3 players, centre back Oliver Lancashire who made just 9 appearances last season. He also released goalkeeper David Bevan who made just 1 appearance in Daniels 2 seasons in charge. He also released last years signing of the season for the club, Edgar Davids who then announced that he was retiring from football.

Why have you released these players?
Dave [David Bevan] and Oliver [Lancashire] werent part of my plans and they can get first team experience, but not here. Edgar Davids did fantastic last season but his fitness wasnt great towards the end of the season and so he didnt play much football, so these released players free up some wages. I wish them the best of luck.​

---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

EIGHT SIGN ON FOR THE SADDLERS

Roman is our man!

Soon after releasing 3 players, Daniel wasted no time in strenghtening his squad.
The first signing Daniel made on 4th July was the 3rd season long loan of Ryan McGivern in a row from Manchester City.

One day later Walsall successfully signed up 3 very, very good players. 32 year old Carlos Edwards signed from Ipswich. Zolton Harsanyi signed from Bolton and 30 year old Rob Earnshaw signed following his release from Nottingham Forest.

On the 6th July 2011 Daniel signed on another 3 free transfers, these were Jake Buxton following his release from Derby, 27 year old ex-Barnsley man Iain Hume and Ibrahima Sonko from Stoke City.

On the 8th July 2011 it was quite possibly the best signing this summer, and one which will make all League 1 defences fear Walsall this year.
28 year old Roman Bednar, following his release from West Brom.

Daniel, all of these signings have excited the fans.
I know and I am not at all suprised, I said I had a plan to get us into the Championship by the end of this season and with these signings I am very, very confident of that.

Anymore players to come in?
No, I am very happy with this squad.

How much of a transfer budget do you have? Following 7 free transfers and 1 loan?
These signings are better than any player we could of signed with our transfer budget, so I gave all the transfer budget back, in exchange for an excellent wage budget so that we could secure these signings.

You rejected a new contract. Will this be your last season?
I cant comment sorry, I know as much as you.​

 

[CelticBalloon]

Some amazing signing you've made there. You're definetly going to be going up this year with the team you've built. Good Luck!

 

[DanWalsallFC]

BYE BYE BONSER

Jeff Bonser is reportedly in talks regarding a possible takeover of Walsall FC. Fellow board member Richard Tisdale is the favourite to become the new chairman as he begins the difficult task of clearing the clubs debts.​

Jeff Bonser is understood to be very unhappy after years of protests by the fans, telling Jeff Bonser to sell up. The Walsall fans may have just got their wish.​

Daniel, what can you tell us regarding the takeover?
I dont know much about it to be honest. I am concentrating on the playing side, that's what I am paid for.​

Are you glad to see the back of Bonser?
Erm.. we havent had the best relationship I'll put it that way!​

Is it hard to keep the players minds on the footballing side?
No not really. It has nothing to do with them, or me.​

Is it a case of either you going or Jeff Bonser going?
Well, I only have a year left on my contract. I havent been offered anything yet, we'll see.​

 

[burkeyoa]

Great transfers mate. Id say you will have no problem making the play-offs this year.

 

[DanWalsallFC]

6th August 2011
Walsall 1-2 Swansea
Goals: Richard Taundry '62​

9th August 2011 (League Cup - Round 1)
Bournemouth 1-0 Walsall​

13th August 2011
Leyton Orient 3-1 Walsall
Goals: Roman Bednar '73​

16th August 2011
Walsall 2-1 Preston
Goals: Rob Earnshaw '84 '86​

20th August 2011
Colchester 3-1 Walsall
Goals: Manny Smith '15​

27th August 2011
Walsall 6-1 Southend
Goals: Roman Bednar '4 '37 Rob Earnshaw '7 '68 '82 Carlos Edwards '49​

Player of the Month

Rob Earnshaw - Striker​

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

WALSALL TAKEOVER COLLAPSES

Banks's Stadium

Fans of Walsall are today frustrated at Jeff Bonser as talks between him and London based businessman Richard Tisdale broke down.
It is believed Tisdale would have had money to give Daniel for the next transfer window but talks broke down and the takeover collapsed.

I wanted this sorted as quickly as everybody else, I am sorry that the sale of the club couldnt go through but Mr Tisdale didnt reach my valuation of the Club and so talks could not continue.
Jeff Bonsers short statement.

This is what a fan said:
It's so disappointing. Daniel's brought in some great players who look to be starting to get to know each other. We're worried what we're going to lose Daniel if Bonser doesnt go.

We managed to catch up with Daniel at Walsalls training ground as he was leaving.
Yeah Jeff has told me about the takeover and that it's collapsed but that's all I know, we havent spoken much. There was nothing really in it though if they couldnt reach an agreement on the price of the club then it wasnt even close to going through.

Fans are worried that you'll walk if Bonser stays, can you confirm or deny this?
Look, at the moment I am just focused on improving this team, we had a great match against Southend and we're looking to build on that. Regarding me going or staying is at the back of my mind. I am here for now, I cant confirm whether I'll be here next season. All depends on if I am even offered a new contract. I am just thinking about the matches, I dont want to be distracted by a new contract right now, this team's starting to gel together and I am confident we'll improve now.

Would you accept a new contract?
I dont want to talk about contracts or anything, I have said what I want to say on this matter.

Daniel then drove off from the training ground, so the future of the clubs owner is clearer, but as to whether Daniel is staying put or not... That is getting more unclear as the season progresses.​

---------- Post added at 03:16 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 03:03 PM ----------

​

10th September 2011
Exeter 1-1 Walsall
Goals: Rob Earnshaw '64

14th September 2011
Southampton 1-2 Walsall
Goals: Steve Jones '61 Julian Gray '74

17th September 2011
Walsall 2-1 Carlisle
Goals: Steve Jennings '45 Roman Bednar '49

24th September 2011
Walsall 0-0 Shrewsbury

27th September 2011
Charlton 1-1 Walsall
Goals: Matt Richards '82
​

Player of the Month

Steve Jones - Midfielder​

 

[burkeyoa]

Great signing mate and not a bad start. Am sure you will get out of league 1 this year!

 

[matty2505]

is there any chance of posting the league table every so often so i can know where you are placed