Sadler's Saddlers having a ball... without the ball

IN football, possession is supposedly nine-tenths of the law - but nobody told high-flying Walsall boss Mat Sadler.

- MIKE WALTERS

In a reassuring antidote to Pepball - pretentious playing out from the back with defenders who can't pass the salt - Sadler's Saddlers are top of League Two despite having the second-worst possession stats in the division.

Pep Guardiola orders Manchester City to play out from the back because he's got the most expensive defence in the Premier League.

And Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca threatens to drop his goalkeepers if they launch clearances long-distance, but after their £1billion spree he can afford to preach patience.

So let's hear it for Walsall - only 43 percent possession over the whole season, but who wants to nip out for a hot dog and come back to find your team still haven't even made it over the halfway line?

Tippy-tappy tiki-taka is fine for players who would look comfortable in Judy Garland’s red shoes, but for lower division players in hobnail boots, pussyfooting around in your own box is asking for trouble.