Walsall fan Jake Kimberley gives his thoughts on how his side are going to fair in the Sky Bet League One this season.

What are your expectations for this season?

I expect what all Walsall fans want is the play-offs or promotion, like every other season. It is possible but it all depends on how the squad play and if it's strong enough to aim for a good finish. My opinion is that we would be aiming for at least to finish in the top half of the league, but I would like the squad to surprise me at least with a play-off spot. We didn’t have much luck last season but I’m hopeful that we can score a lot of goals this year. Manager Dean Smith has done a decent job in the last four seasons, saving the saddlers from relegation in their first two seasons and positioning Walsall to top half and mid-table finishes in League One, just falling shy of the play-offs. But I think that Smith's men will have a good season and I have every belief in the ginger Mourinho. So I think they will finish tenth at least.

What do you think of your summer business so far?

I think that we have done some decent transfer business, despite that; we are a team with one of the lowest budgets in the league. I am happy with the new additions so far but it was unfortunate to lose Craig Westcarr to Portsmouth and sadly Andy Butler to Sheffield United who was our legendary leading captain. We have responded well with the signings of defender James O'Connor as well as bolstering our attacking lines with the acquisitions of Tom Bradshaw from Shrewsbury, Jordan Cook from Charlton and Ashley Grimes from Bury. We have also signed highly rated Goalkeeper Craig MacGillvray from Harrogate Town. I think these new signings will be good for the new season and have successful futures in their football careers.

Mantom could be a replacement for Boro bound Adam Clayton
Mantom could play at a higher level

Who will be your star player this year?

My star player would be Sam Mantom, since his arrival at the club he's been very consistent. I think he's at that age to become a leader in the midfield and be a future captain of the club. He is a player who I think could play at a higher level in the future.

Who will be your breakout star this year?

20-year-old youngster Kieron Morris is my breakthrough player into the squad because he's a young player who has came up from the ranks at the club. He plays on the left wing with good pace on the ball and he had a few good loan spells at Worchester City and Leamington. I think that he has the right ingredients to become the next Jamie Paterson (who signed for Nottingham Forest last year).

What game are you looking forward to the most?

It would be the season opener against Port Vale away because it’s the only game that feels like a local derby this year despite Coventry being in our league. Due to the Sky Blues playing in Northampton, it hasn’t got that same local derby feel anymore. It would have been nice to play our local teams Shrewsbury or Wolves in the league again, but I’m looking forward to the game at Vale Park.