Why Harambee Stars defender is confident of English club earning promotion
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 18.12.25. | 11:50
The Saddlers are hoping to erase the painful memory of last season, when they failed to secure promotion despite holding a 12-point lead at the top before eventually losing the play-off final to AFC Wimbledon
Walsall and Harambee Stars defender Vincent Harper says the team has learnt from last season’s mistakes and is more united than ever as they push for promotion to the third tier of English football.
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Walsall sit at the summit of the League Two standings after 20 matches, having collected 39 points, two ahead of second-placed Swindon Town and Notts County.
The Saddlers are hoping to erase the painful memory of last season, when they failed to secure promotion despite holding a 12-point lead at the top before eventually losing the play-off final to AFC Wimbledon.
Harper believes the current squad has the mentality and togetherness to avoid a similar collapse.
Speaking after Wednesday’s win at Oldham, the left-back said the result showed how “united” the team is in its bid to “get the job done” and seal promotion.
Despite head coach Mat Sadler making six changes from their FA Cup second-round victory over Gateshead, Walsall secured their sixth consecutive away win in all competitions thanks to Daniel Kanu’s 10th goal of the season.
Harper, who was among the players rotated into the starting lineup, praised the collective effort that pushed Walsall four points clear at the top.
“It was a team performance we can be proud of,” Harper told BBC Radio WM.
“We showed how united we are in all aspects of the game.”
The summer signing from Exeter City added that the character and chemistry within the squad have been crucial to their early-season success.
“There were a few changes, but with the team we’ve got, whoever starts or comes on, we know they’re going to do a job.
The gaffer trusts all of us and we trust each other to put in a performance,” he said.
Harper believes the bond between the players and coaching staff has strengthened significantly since his arrival.
“I wasn’t here last year, but it’s important to reflect on how it went and do it right this year,” he said.
“In football you don’t want to be too high or too low. You don’t take winning for granted, you just keep going.
We know what we want to do this year and we want to get the job done.”
Walsall now shift their focus to a top-of-the-table showdown against Notts County on Saturday.
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