Walsall Football Club manager Dean Smith has today spoken of his desire to sign a goalkeeper to act as competition to current first-choice, Richard O'Donnell.Speaking to the Express & Star, Smith said; Richard had a fantastic season last year and we will be looking to bring in a keeper to go and push him for next season because I think he needs challenging for his position.”
“I don’t think there was enough of a challenge from Liam or Shane on Richard and I think he set the standard. Whoever comes in has got to be pushing that standard as well.”
“Richard is another player who showed leadership skills throughout the season. He is looking forward to the season already and deservedly got players’ player of the season.
“You could tell it meant a lot to him. The work he and Neil Cutler did has pushed him to another standard and somebody else needs to come in.
“We were fortunate as he has played every game all season but had he got injured or suspended, for whatever reason, I didn’t think the other two were quite ready.”
25 year-old O'Donnell is a product of the Sheffield Wednesday Academy, and made his first-team debut in 2006. Richard made just a handful of appearances for the Owls and spent several spells on loan at various clubs, including, amongst others, Oldham Athletic, Grimsby Town and Macclesfield Town.
The Sheffield born 'keeper was released by Wednesday at the end of the 2011/12 season and within days he penned a one-year deal with Chesterfield, Richard again made just a handful of appearances for The Spireites, and also spent time on loan at Stockport County, before being released at the end of the season.
He initially joined the Saddlers last summer on trial, but went on to sign a deal and made over fifty first-team appearances, and signed an extension in January.
Read the full Express & Star article, HERE.