Keeping Byfield is January's priority

A BIG test of ambition awaits the Saddlers as the January transfer window approaches.

I don't mean hanging on to their young stars – history tells us that if a big bid or team comes in for Troy Deeney, Manny Smith or others, they will be more than likely be on their way.

But what Walsall CAN ensure in – or before – the first month of 2010 is that they tie Darren Byfield down for the foreseeable future at least.

Since returning to the club in late August, 2001 play-off final hero Byfield has shown his class at this level and more importantly desire after a string of so-so stints at several other clubs.

Saturday's clinical finish to see off County was his fifth goal in 14 games but more importantly he has brought out the best in Steve Jones and, particularly, Troy Deeney.

Young striker Deeney had not looked comfortable alongside Sam Parkin earlier this season. Yes, they had only played a few times together but so have Deeney and Byfield.

And the latter two look natural – as if they have been playing together for years, not weeks.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half against County were evidence of this, culminating in the inch-perfect through ball Deeney threaded through for Byfield to loft over Owain Fon Williams as he went to ground.

If Byfield has had a smooth return to WS1, one man whose start to the season has not been so enjoyable is Matt Richards, who has found himself a boo boy target.

It's important to see both sides of the coin here – in the fans' defence, Richards has not set League One alight this season and has been average at best.

However, Richards has been at Ipswich his whole career – other than loan spells at Brighton – and it can often take a while to settle in to a new club and a new style of play.

Certainly, a dozen or so games is too quick to judge – and someone who has played at Championship level for so long clearly has ability.

Walsall fans are notoriously quick to judge and it was ironic that the half time guest on Saturday was former skipper Tom Bennett, who took plenty of flak in his Bescot days.

Bennett eventually won over most fans and, of course, skippered the side to play-off glory – whether Richards can tread a similar path remains to be seen but Saturday was a good start.

He capped a much-improved display with the opening goal on 36 minutes, a Beckham like free kick – except with his left foot – that curled over Williams' wall and into the top corner.

He had already seen a similar set-piece clawed away by Williams after a deflection off the top of the wall, while Byfield had nearly opened proceedings with a bang, firing inches wide from 35 yards in the first 20 seconds.

After the break, Deeney saw an effort turned on to the post by Williams after a neat one-two with Byfield before turning provider for the second goal.

At the other end, there was little danger, although County could twice have pulled a goal back in the last quarter of the game.

Nicholas Bignall blasted a golden chance wide from six yards and Clayton Ince made a superb one-handed stop from Oli Johnson.

Coca Cola League One

Walsall 2

Stockport County 0

WALSALL: Ince, Weston, Hughes, Smith, Sansara, Jones, Mattis, Bradley, Richards, Deeney, Byfield. Subs: Oxley, McDonald, Westlake, O'Keefe, Nicholls, Till, Parkin.

ATTENDANCE: 4,143.

ADVERTISER STAR MAN: Darren Byfield – unstoppable.