Walsall Head Coach Michael Flynn is expecting Sky Bet League Two to be highly competitive this coming season.
The Saddlers will kick-off the 2022/23 campaign against Hartlepool United tomorrow at the Poundland Bescot Stadium and will be keen to get off to a positive start.
Flynn insists the start of the campaign is important and stressed there will be ups and downs for every team along the way.
He is expecting a tough test against Hartlepool.
“Hartlepool aren’t going to come here and rollover, they’ve made a lot of new signings as well,” Flynn said.
“Paul (Hartley) will be looking to get off to a good start and like I said, there is no points given in this league or any league so it’s going to be a tough, competitive league throughout all year.
“Even the best teams, the bigger team will have ups and downs but we’ve just got to make sure we find that consistent level where we put runs together and if we lose, we come back and show what we’re made of.
“That’s what pre-season is for – building up and getting ready for this. It’s the business part of the season, the beginning is important.
“Everyone wants to get off to a good start. First game of the season, everybody has the ambition of winning the league and being promoted.
“We want to make sure the squad is settled; we know we can still improve in areas. It will be a work in progress because of the number of signings that we’ve brought in and we’re still looking for more. I’m excited for this season.”
The Saddlers have had a number of injuries to contend with during pre-season.
Joss Labadie and Conor Wilkinson are long term absentees, while Liam Gordon and Oisin McEntee are also sidelined but there was better news about Jack Earing and Joe Riley.
“Jack’s fine, he’s come through everything so he’s fit for selection,” Flynn confirmed.
“It gives us another body back so it’s positive.
“It’s only Conor, Oisin and Joss who are not going to be ready yet. Joe Riley’s had good news so Joe might be fine but we’ll wait and see on a decision tomorrow.”
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