Merson attracted by Saddlers' style

Midfielder Paul Merson completed his move to Division One Walsall today, citing the Saddlers' “total football” philosophy as a prime factor in his transfer from Premiership Portsmouth.

The 35-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Bescot Stadium and is expected to make his expected debut in a pre-season friendly scheduled for Moor Green’s Moorlands ground this evening.

And Merson, who has also been appointed captain by Walsall manager Colin Lee, said he had arrived at Bescot with high expectations.

Former England international Merson, who helped guide Pompey to promotion from the First Division last season, said: “It’s a new challenge for me and that was part of the attraction in coming here.

“I like the way Walsall play football because they play a total football style and I want to be a part of that.

“I read stories saying I didn’t think I’d be up to another season in the Premiership with Portsmouth but last season I was living in the Midlands, getting up at 6.30am and driving down there for training.

“I was driving 35,000 miles in a season which is a lot of miles but at least I was getting days off.

“But Harry Redknapp said I wouldn’t be getting any days off this season and I just thought it wasn’t possible to carry on that way.

“I don’t want to move from the Midlands, my family are very happy here, and so it doesn’t look as if I’ll get the chance to see if I could have managed another season in the top flight does it?

“Or maybe I will.

“You never know what can happen in football and who would have said at the start of last season Portsmouth would go on to win the Division One championship and be promoted to the Premiership?

“Look at Reading and look at Sheffield United. They both made the play-offs last season and that shows all you need is consistency and a little bit of luck along the way.

“There’s a friendly tonight and I hope I play because that’s what I’m here for, to play football.

“I enjoy playing football, everyone knows that, and in the end that’s about the only thing I know how to do.

“I’ve not met the other players yet but I’ll be doing that soon and I hope I’ll feature tonight, putting my head straight on the chopping block.”

Saddlers boss Lee said: “Expectations will inevitably be raised now.

“But my mission at this football club is to try and move forward year on year and the signing of Paul Merson is a part of that process.

“This deal has not happened overnight, there’s been a lot of hard work been put in by everyone involved over the last three weeks but perhaps most of all by Paul Merson.

“I’m delighted Paul has joined us because only a few weeks ago it was the sort of signing not many people would have dreamed we could pull off.”