As the Saddlers get set to play four games in ten days, first-team manager Jon Whitney has spoken to the local press and called upon his side to make the most of the opportunity to secure more points as he seeks to make the club an attractive prospect for any potential new arrivals.
Along with a hectic schedule and thoughts about adding to his squad Jon will also have to contend with the fact that the loans of Bury winger Zeli Ismail, Burnley striker Dan Agyei and Baggies duo Shaun Donnellan and Tyler Roberts are all due to expire in early January. The manager remains in the dark as to the intentions of the parent clubs and does not expect to learn more until the New Year.
Jon, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "I understand it is going to be a crazy month. Things are already starting now, with the loan players, there are no guarantees we will keep them all. It’s also nice to know the players we are targeting will have a look at where we are in the league. If we can be on a good run of form we will be a more attractive proposition to those players."
The manager then went on to discuss the soon-to-be-ending loan deals, and admitted that he has sought extensions, but will not know the outcome until the new year, he continued; "I have approached all of the clubs but it is not my decision. They don’t tell you until later. That is football. All we can do is try our best, speak openly and honestly with people and see how it develops over January. It’s the way of the game. We don’t moan about it, we just get on with it. I do think there will be changes, ins and outs. It is the way of the game and hopefully we are in a position to strengthen."