We asked a fan of each team give us their thoughts on the 2018-19 season. Have a read of their responses and enjoy!
1.In your opinion, how did 2018-19 go for your side?
Nothing short of a disaster. Our season was supposed to be a year of transition and stability after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Manager Dean Keates had his first opportunity to build a team that he wanted but was restricted by a number of unwanted players still being under contract for another year. A flurry of late signings and a 7 game unbeaten start to the league campaign provided optimism that was to be short lived. Poor transfer business in January, not sacking Keates after the Coventry defeat in February and a massive disconnect between the board/players and the fans have all contributed to what has been a toxic atmosphere at times. The league table doesn’t lie after 46 games and Walsall deserved to be relegated.
2.What was your favourite moment in 2018-19?
In a season that has been so disappointing it is difficult to find many positives. The unbeaten start to the season allowed us all to dream for a couple of months before it all turned sour. Visiting the the superb stadium of light was also nice.
3.What was your worst moment in 2018-19?
Difficult to only pick one, but our defeat away to Accrington was a particular low point. This was caretaker manager Martin O’Connor’s first game in charge and the performance was awful and at the end of the game there were confrontations between the fans and players. I think that was the first time I accepted that we would not turn our season around.
4.Which player impressed you the most on your team?
The obvious answer is Andy Cook who scored 13 league goal in his first season in the football league, but for me I was most impressed with Liam Kinsella. A player who was no more than a fringe player at the start of the season and seized his opportunity by going on to play 31 league games and receive the young player of the season award. In a season when many players heart and desire was questioned, “Kins” consistently played with tenacity and bravery in the middle of the park. A true fans favourite and it is criminal that the club have not offered him a new contract yet.
5.Which opposition player made the biggest impression?
Lyle Taylor. Without doubt he is too good for League One and always seems to score against Walsall. I think Charlton will find it hard to keep hold of him if they don’t achieve promotion.
6.What are your hopes for 2019-20?
I genuinely believe this is the most important summer the club has had in the last 25 years. We need a manager, and new coaching staff, who can rebuild a fractious playing squad that has 19 players out of contract. I’d also like to see the re-introduction of our youth policy with structured game time by re-entering the reserve league. Most importantly, I hope for unity between the board and the fans – achieved through a transparency, better communications and a strategy that is realistic so that everyone can start to pull in the same direction again.
7.Which area of the team needs most improvement for next season?
What we have lacked most this season is experience and leaders on the pitch. In too many games we have either not turned up or shown poor game management. This has to be addressed in this summer’s recruitment ahead of the next campaign.
words Nick Pritchard, Walsall fan