Walsall

Fox to sign for Coventry - Money
Walsall defender Dan Fox will join Coventry City according to Saddlers boss Richard Money. The Sky Blues have held talks with the 21-year-old after having a bid accepted on Tuesday. And Money is expecting the deal to go through: "My understanding is that it will completed on Friday. "I see no reason why he wouldn't want to go to Coventry - it's a wonderful club. I know all about it from my time there," he told SSB. Fox has been linked with a number of clubs - including Leeds and Wolves - and had seemed set for a move to Colchester after discussing terms with the Championship side. But Coventry appear to have won the race for Fox with the Saddlers receiving a fee of around £350,000. "He is already the complete player. The fee is what it is. There are no add-ons," Money added. "I think it's very important that people realise that we consider that Danny is a left-back of Championship quality at least." Fox joined the Saddlers from Everton in June 2005 but will have to wait to make his Coventry debut. He is ineligible for this Saturday's FA Cup tie but could feature in the game at Hull at the end of the month.

Saddlers ace Sonko picks up award
Walsall midfielder Edrissa Sonko has been named League One's player of the month for January. The Gambian has been rewarded for his excellent form, at one stage scoring four goals in as many games. Saddlers boss Richard Money told BBC WM: "He started really well but there were a lot of factors for him to deal with when he arrived. "He's a lovely lad and has played through it and full credit to him. He's playing his best football now."

Money on look-out for new blood
Walsall manager Richard Money is hoping to strengthen his side's promotion push by signing a central defender and a striker on loan. Money told SSB: "We know we need another one in up front. But it's got to be the right one. "We need a central defender because we know Gerrard and Roper won't be free from injury or suspension between now and the end of the season. "But I don't want to stand in the way of our young players." Walsall sold both Scott Dann and Daniel Fox to Coventry City during the January transfer window but have since recruited Senegal midfielder Alassane N'Dour from FC Troyes.

Money praises Saddlers youngsters
Walsall's investment in young, talented players is set to be richly rewarded according to boss Richard Money. Forwards Alex Nicholls and Troy Deeney are the latest to earn plaudits for their efforts off the bench during Monday's draw with Crewe. "The two kids came on and gave everyone in the stadium a real lift, and that's the most promising thing," Money said. "It's the biggest plus for me, and the future for the club is obviously very, very bright," he told SSB. Two more of the Saddlers' home grown players should be fit to return for Saturday's trip to Southend as Money expects Mark Bradley and Richard Taundry to be available again. The club can also take some pride in the England Under 21 call-ups enjoyed by defenders Dan Fox and Scott Dann, both of whom left the Banks's Stadium to join Coventry City in January. But Money is reserving his praise for Nicholls and Deeney, who could play a major part in the Saddlers' play-off push over the final seven games of the season. "They both just need a bit more confidence, a bit more game time and goals," added Money.

Walsall complete Brown loan deal
Walsall have added to their squad ahead of the loan transfer deadline by signing Aaron Brown from Reading. The 24-year-old defender has played for England at semi-professional level and has had previous loan spells with Tamworth and AFC Bournemouth. Brown missed last season with a broken ankle but is back and will be with the Saddlers for the rest of the campaign. "Aaron will give us defensive options that we've needed for a while," said Saddlers boss Richard Money. Brown will go straight into the squad for Walsall's crucial match at Southend on Saturday as they look to maintain their push for a play-off place in League One.

Money resigns as Walsall manager
Walsall manager Richard Money has resigned after the Saddlers were ruled out of the League One play-off running. Money took over as manager in May 2006, following their relegation to League Two and led them to the title and promotion in his first season. He told the club website: "I believe that this decision is in the best interests of both myself and the club. "The timing of my departure will give the club the maximum opportunity to bring in a new manager." Saddlers chairman Jeff Bonser said: "He came to the club at a very difficult time. Our playing fortunes were at a low ebb. "During these past two years, he has led the club to the League Two championship and to a position just outside the League One play-off positions, a very impressive achievement. "We would like to place on record our appreciation for the work he has undertaken, and to wish him well for the future." Assistant manager Jimmy Mullen takes temporary charge.

Saddlers missed the boat - Mooney
Walsall's leading scorer Tommy Mooney has criticised the club for missing out on a real chance of the play-offs. Mooney is leaving the club to play in Spain next season, but was frustrated by the end to the Saddlers' campaign. "It's a missed opportunity, a fantastic chance to get into the Championship, but it's gone," Mooney told SSB. "I think it'll be a while before they get that opportunity again. It's not a coincidence that the clubs that got promoted have the biggest budgets." Mooney closed his 10-month Walsall career with a goal in the 2-2 draw with Hartlepool at the Banks's Stadium, his 12th of the season. "I was delighted to get a goal," he said after wearing Walsall colours for the last time. "I should have had more this season. And to have won the game would have been even better, but it wasn't to be. "What we had this season was a dressing room that gave everything for each other, and I include all of the coaching staff in that." When announcing his intention to leave the Saddlers last month, Mooney said that dressing room spirit had been badly hit by the sale of Scott Dann and Dan Fox to Coventry right at the end of the January transfer window. "We came very, very close," he said. "I understand that your best players have to go on and improve their careers, but it was to the detriment of our team."

Walsall snap up midfielder Reich
Walsall have completed the free transfer signing of former German international midfielder Marco Reich. The 30-year-old, who has signed a one-year deal, is already familiar with the English game having enjoyed spells with Derby County and Crystal Palace. "He'll give us a bit extra going forward as he's an attack-minded player," Saddlers boss Jimmy Mullen told the club's website. "He can play on either flank or in the centre. He gives us plenty of options." Reich made his professional debut for German club Kaiserslautern, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 1998. He went on to play for both Koln and Werder Bremen before moving to England in 2004. The once-capped midfielder spent last season playing for Kickers Offenback in his homeland before taking up Mullen's offer of a trial at Walsall. "We had him here for a week at the start of pre-season where he showed us what a good footballer he is," Mullen said. Reich himself is delighted to be returning to England. "When I returned to Germany last year I found myself really missing the English style of football," the midfielder said. "That is why I am happy to be here at Walsall and can't wait for the season to start." Reich was part of the Walsall team that beat Chasetown 2-0 on Saturday.

Sansara earns praise from Mullen
Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen says teenage defender Netan Sansara fully deserves his chance in the first team. The 19-year-old had an assured League debut in Saturday's draw at Yeovil and Mullen says he had no doubts about giving Sansara his opportunity. "The kid's done well. He's played well against Aston Villa and Wolves and other teams this pre-season," he told BBC WM. "He deserves his chance. He might thank me when he's 35." Sansara is set to keep his place in the side for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Darlington with Mullen adamant he cannot afford to make too many changes. "Every game between now and the end of the season is the most important one." "We will give everyone the respect they deserve because we are not that good. We have to work our socks off in every game to get something out of it."

Walsall need focus, says Mullen
Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen says his side cannot afford to be complacent if they are to challenge for promotion in League One this season. The Saddlers saw their five-match unbeaten run ended by a 2-1 defeat to Peterborough on Saturday. "Hopefully it's a learning curve for us," Mullen told BBC WM. "Unless we play at our best and at the highest tempo we won't win games. "As a group we have to be at our best because, if not, we'll get found out." Walsall went into the weekend having taken 10 points from the last available 12 but were well beaten by Posh, despite the closeness of the scoreline. "They've given us yardstick I think," Mullen admitted. "They caused us a lot of problems but I think we can learn from it." Mullen also added that he is working hard to try and add to his squad. He added: "We know we're short on the ground and we'll continue to search and if we need to strengthen hopefully we can do that."

Postponement disappoints Mullen
Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen has said he is disappointed that Tuesday's game with Swindon was postponed but accepts that player safety must come first. The League One fixture was called off an hour before kick-off after snow had fallen on the Banks's Stadium. "We want to get back to winning ways as soon as possible and it was a chance to do that," Mullen told BBC WM. "The referee says the decision was based on player safety, so we have to go along with that." Referee Carl Boyeson told the club's official website: "We looked at the forecast and there was due to be rain. "But instead we had snow and the temperature was around one degree - and that wasn't going to get any better." However Mullen responded: "What he was saying was with the having snow and ice on it, that his consideration was the safety of players with the snow coming off the ball and into their faces and into their eyes. "The obvious answer to that is for the ball to be in the air somebody's going to have to kick it. "So there's going to be no snow on it then is there?" The game has yet to be rearranged.

Mullen tells squad to clear heads
Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen told his players to use their time off before Saturday's FA Cup tie to "get their minds right" after the defeat by Luton. The Saddlers were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 1-0 by the Football League's bottom club on Tuesday following a woeful performance. Mullen told BBC WM: "We spoke long and hard about it. I gave them a day off to get their minds right quickly. "We can make all sorts of excuses but it wasn't good enough." The League One side were fancied to do well in the competition and were just four games away from making their first-ever trip to Wembley. But the Hatters book their place in the Southern Area semi-final with a last-minute breakaway winner on a night that Mullen says was possibly the worst of his career. "I was absolutely convinced we were going to win," Mullen said. "To come into the dressing room after a performance like that was one of the biggest disappointments I've had."

Mullen rues Demontagnac red card
Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen feels Ishmel Demontagnac let his team-mates down by being sent off during the FA Cup first round defeat at home to Scunthorpe. The 20-year old winger saw red eight minutes after coming off the bench following an off-the-ball incident. "I'm very, very angry because I put him on with a view to trying to change the game," Mullen told BBC WM. "Within minutes he's sent off and that's totally unacceptable, not only to myself but to the supporters." It is the third time that Demontagnac has been dismissed on first-team duty for the Saddlers. And there has been speculation that the club are losing patience with the London-born midfielder. "He's a player contracted to this football club," said Mullen. "And until such time as a decision is taken otherwise then he will stay." Walsall's Cup exit came hard on the heels of their elimination from the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the hands of Luton Town last Tuesday night. And it leaves Mullen feeling the heat just six months after succeeding Richard Money at the Banks's Stadium. "I always feel under pressure because that's the type of person I am," said Mullen. "I'm a human being and I love my job, I love my work. "But I know the life of a football manager and you've got to get results."

Palmer asks Walsall for transfer
Walsall utility defender Chris Palmer has asked to go on the transfer list at the Banks's Stadium. Palmer's current contract was due to expire on Saturday but the club have taken up their option to extend the player's deal by a further six months. "We've taken up that option," Walsall manager Chris Hutchings told BBC WM. "But he wants a little bit more and to go on the transfer list. "He's got his reasons. But he needs to sign the registration so he can play." Palmer, 25, joined Walsall in August on a free transfer after being released by Wycombe - and he has proved a versatile player for the Saddlers, able to play in both defence and midfield. Hutchings wants the 25-year-old available for Saturday's home game with Leeds United. But the Walsall boss knows that time is of the essence to get the new arrangement agreed. "I've just come into the club and have picked up the mantle of trying to sort this out so he needs to sign the registration," added Hutchings. Meanwhile, the Walsall boss's options ahead of the weekend have been boosted by the return to training of Rhys Weston and Stephen Hughes. Weston has been out since the end of 2008 with a hamstring injury, while Hughes' groin strain has kept him out of the last seven matches. Walsall have released Austrian goalkeeper Albin Kajtezovic after his short-term deal expired.

Ricketts influence helping Deeney
Walsall striker Troy Deeney has said playing regularly alongside former England international Michael Ricketts has improved his game this season. The 20-year-old has scored five goals in the seven matches since Chris Hutchings took over as manager. Deeney told BBC WM: "When you have Ricko up front alongside you it makes your job a whole lot easier. "When you give him the ball and then make a run, you know he'll find you. He's a key figure for the team." Deeney now hopes the best scoring run of his career will continue until the end of the season, starting with Saturday's trip to Northampton. "I'm back up front now where I feel I should be," said Deeney. "And I'm doing well. "Everything's going well for me, I've got five in seven and I'll be trying to make it eight out of eight with a nice little hat-trick on Saturday." Walsall are likely to be without the services of Sam Williams for the game at Sixfields, the on-loan Aston Villa striker having picked up a hip injury.

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