2026/27 Season Preview

As the new season approaches, Walsall fans find a familiar feeling within. Confidence, having seen the team prepare for the season and kick off with an incredibly impressive 0-1 win victory away vs Bristol City. Resolute throughout, the Saddlers took the game to their higher ranked opposition, at times pinning them back and at other times being prepared to take pressure on and hold out.

Victory in this style raised the mood around the Bescot, fans looking forward to getting back to their seats and see Lee Grant's team perform weekly. However, for the Saddlers' loyal the last two seasons have also produced this feeling. But heartache at Wembley and a Christmas collapse in the last two seasons do leave a bitter taste in the mouth of reds fans and only seem to disrupt any sign of confidence, fans rightfully wary. However, we must ensure that this energy is not taken into the league season, and hope that the players do not feel the same way and can keep their heads up going in to the new year.

Aaron Pressley has started his second campaign with the reds in the best possible style scoring the winner in the Bristol City game, after what could only be described as a challenging first season not picking up more than a handful of goals. Hopefully this will be a huge confidence booster for him, and he can start to pick up more goal involvements this season. Fans raved about Declan Skura, the centre back on loan from Wycombe Wanderers as he helped to deliver the first Saddlers clean sheet of the season.

Arguably the most exciting signing of the season so far, Jed Ward impressed once again receiving a 9.5 star rating on fotmob (out of ten). The 'Keeper made an astonishing TEN saves whilst keeping a clean sheet. Reece Smith also impressed, getting the assist to the saddlers' goal and proving tricky for defenders on the left wing. The team will certainly look to bring this sort of form to their league games beginning 15th August away at Gillingham.