Less possession, more points: The Walsall Way | OneFootball

Walsall might not see much of the ball, but they’ve certainly made the most of it so far this season.

Three of the Saddlers’ five League Two wins in 2025/26 have come with 30% possession or less, making them one of the least ball-dominant sides in the division, but also one of the most effective.

Their latest victory, a 1-0 triumph over Chesterfield on Saturday at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, summed up the story. Daniel Kanu struck the only goal, before Mat Sadler’s side had to dig deep following a second-half red card for Charlie Lakin.

The promotion-chasing visitors piled on the pressure late on, but the hosts held firm for another big three points.

It’s no fluke either. Under Sadler, Walsall have embraced a low-possession style that proved decisive in last year’s promotion charge and remains central to their game plan this season. Across all seven of their league matches so far, they’ve averaged less of the ball - and yet they’re sitting top of League Two, level on 15 points with Swindon Town and Gillingham

Even their other two wins, against Barnet and MK Dons, followed the same pattern: just 34% possession on both occasions. Interestingly, the games where they’ve had more of the ball haven’t gone their way. In their defeats to Gillingham (44%) and Grimsby Town (46%), Walsall actually saw far more of it - but came away empty-handed.

It’s clear possession doesn’t tell the story of this team. For Walsall, less really is more.