Darrell Clarke: Three games to assess Walsall squad

The Saddlers boss has made it clear he wants to sign another striker to compete with Caolan Lavery, Elijah Adebayo and Josh Gordon.

But he has hinted he may make more additions before the deadline passes on September 2.

And he revealed he’ll assess his squad at Crewe tomorrow, and in the subsequent games against Newport and Plymouth before making a decision.

“We’ve got a big week coming up with two away games and a midweek game and then we’ve got a week before the window shuts,” Clarke said.

“I’ll be assessing the next three games.

“I know I need another centre forward but I’ll also be assessing if I need one or two others.

“I’ve got room for manoeuvre as the squad has been built on a reasonable budget.

“I’ve got a bit to play with which is good news if and when we need reinforcements, maybe a couple in this window and January as well.”

Walsall head to Gresty Road tomorrow having been beaten 3-2 by Crawley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Two of Town’s three goals came from counter-attacks with Clarke criticising his players post-match for not “locking in” their opponents.

And the boss explained exactly what he meant.

“When you’re attacking, you’re locking them in so your defenders are in the right areas to recover the second ball,” the boss continued.

“Your midfielders also have to be in the right areas to recover and keep the attack flowing.

“If you keep the opposition penned in you get more opportunities to score goals.

“Fair play to Crawley, they worked the counter attack pretty well.

“That’s the only time they looked like scoring so we’ve got to lock that down and be better in the final third.

“But it will come. We’re a developing group. There won’t be many EFL teams that have had the turnaround of players that we’ve had so I’m pleased to be on four points after two league games.”