The 2016-17 campaign delivered a season of challenging consolidation for Walsall as The Saddlers finished 14th in League One following a mass exodus of key players. Leading the charge was the sensational Erhun Oztumer, whose 15 league goals, including a famous 40-yard lob against Swindon, proved decisive, earning him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year. It was a frustrating year defined by a mid-season slump, but Oztumer's individual brilliance ensured the club remained competitive and is remembered as a defining chapter of The Saddlers' rebuilding effort.