Title-chasing Walsall may already be planning for life in the third tier as the long-time league leaders reportedly target a move for a creative attacking midfielder in the summer.
Mat Sadler’s team are on a run of just two wins from their last 11 League Two outings. The latest of these matches was a 3-1 home defeat to Grimsby Town at the weekend, the second defeat at the Banks Stadium in the space of a week.
Worrying Run of Form Threatens to Derail Walsall Promotion Push
A 4-2 win over MK Dons on the 18th of January seen Walsall move 13 points clear of second-placed AFC Wimbledon with Crewe Alexandra a point further back outside the automatic promotion places.
Fast forward to-date and Bradford City are now just two points shy of the once runaway leaders. Wimbledon, Port Vale and Notts County are within a couple of results of the Sadlers should they win their games in hand.
The departure of top scorer Nathan Lowe on the 19th of January has been the catalyst for the team’s drop-off but the level of performance is becoming a real concern.
Grimsby were much the better side this weekend as Walsall struggled to create any notable opportunities after taking the lead inside the opening six minutes.
Despite relentless pressure and control during the second half in midweek, Walsall were held by bottom club Carlisle United to make it four games without a victory.
The Swindon Town defeat on the 1st of March was another abysmal performance and it is clear Walsall require improvements to the squad should they hold on and gain promotion this season.
Sierra Leone International Primed For EFL Loan Move
Hindolo Mustapha is an 18-year-old who is impressing in Crystal Palace’s development squad at Premier League 2 level.
The central midfielder is a creative force having contributed 15 assists for the Eagles’ youth sides. He also provided an assist for his country within two minutes of coming on a substitute in a 4-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in October 2024.
According to Alan Nixon, Walsall are planning to come back in for the attack-minded central midfielder having reportedly come close to joining in the winter transfer window.
The report also states that Palace see his career path leading to a loan move to League One and this may indicate that failure to achieve promotion might derail any potential summer deal.
The Sadlers have struggled for creativity from the centre of midfield at times and Mustapha may be an ideal target to help push the team higher from the middle due to his attacking attributes.
The young star has made three appearances for his country in qualification for the African Cup of Nations, scoring in a 3-2 defeat to Zambia in September 2024.