Former Wolves and
There will be no additional signings, with Merse saying "There are young lads here who need to be given a chance, otherwise we will never know how good they are. If I hadn't been given a chance at Arsenal I would never have known if I was good enough. There is no point in me promising to give people a chance, and then bringing in loads more players because that would mean going back on my word and I don't want to do that."
Byfield’s agent added "I'm aware Darren might be joining Walsall for training sessions but there are no offers on the table as yet and, anyway, Darren's still getting over the shock of it all.(Sunderland’s contract withdrawal)”
It has also been revealed that first team coach Iffy Onoura has been registered as a player. The 36 year old said "Anyone who watched me last season will tell you that it was a long, hard slog but I am registered as a player and I intend to keep myself fit. I may play the odd last 20 minutes here and there, just to keep myself ticking over. You can never say never, although my main concern is as a coach, anything else I'll see as a bonus."
Both Onoura and Merson are hopeful of a successful season. "Our top scorer last time around only got nine goals, and that's just not enough. We just weren't scoring anywhere near enough goals. We have the nucleus of a good side and, coupled with the promising youngsters we have here and the right coaching methods, I think we'll be as good as anyone next season." said Onoura, whilst the manager added that "I honestly believe we're the team everybody has to beat next season. People might think I'm mad, and probably rightly so, but I'm not here for seventh, eighth or ninth place. I'm here to get up in the top two."