Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser defended the club's decision to release nine first-team players claiming they wouldn't help the club next seasonLong-serving Saddlers duo Ian Roper and Darren Wrack were among the group to be shown the exit door last Wednesday and the controversial announcement evoked criticism from fans favourites Tommy Mooney and Michael Dobson.

But Banks's Stadium chief Bonser remained adamant the departures were essential in order to pave the way for squad reinforcements during the summer.

"We believe that the players that we released have done a great job for the club, but they're not going to improve our position next year," Bonser told the Express and Star.

"If we thought they were going to improve us next season we would have offered them new contracts, but we think we need better players in."

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