Walsall Head Coach Mat Sadler is hoping his team can set themselves up for the new campaign with a good run out against Solihull Moors.
The Saddlers will play their final friendly of pre-season at the ARMCO Arena tomorrow afternoon as they look to put the finishing touches to preparations for the 2023/24 season.
Moors, who ply their trade in the National League, should provide a good test and Sadler is keen to make the most of the final opportunity to run the rule over his side and get more minutes into the legs ahead of the big kick-off on August 5th.
“We need to make sure we’re all capable and wanting to get through those 90-minute matches,” insists Sadler.
“I’ve got some good options available to me so there will be that element of still seeing those options and hopefully it tees us up going into the season but I am fully aware of pre-season versus the main season and the massive difference that that is.
“Tuesday (against West Bromwich Albion Under 21s) was great, brilliant off the back of that result and performance but Saturday will be a different game and then we go into the proper stuff with, fingers crossed, no injuries, everyone feeling good, feeling sharp, feeling strong and then we can look to attack the season.”
The new season is just eight days away and excitement is building amongst fans, players and coaching staff alike.
“I’m really looking forward to it now,” Sadler said.
“Pre-season is great because you get to have that real spell of getting to know your players and getting really close with them but the same as a player, the same as you all as well, we’re desperate for the season to come around now but most importantly I want that on the back of some good showings, some good performances, a lot of work into the legs – all that sort of stuff so that we’re ready for when it starts.”