Will other League One coaches step up after Brentford sign Smith?

The Bees are now three points off the play-offs, and 5/1 with Coral for a top six finish, after drawing at rock bottom Bolton Wanderers with Smith given a watching brief on his new team from the stands. It is an attractive proposition that has lured him from the Saddlers.

Hasselbaink hot property too

What Smith’s appointment also poses is will other League One managers follow suit and join him in stepping up a division? Former Netherlands international striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been consistently linked with leaving Burton Albion for other London vacancies at Fulham and QPR.

Under ex-Chelsea and Charlton Athletic frontman Hasselbaink, the Brewers have gone from League Two nearly men to Championship promotion contenders.

Both prospective employers at Craven Cottage and Loftus Road have certainly been biding their time as they seek permanent successors to Kit Symons and Chris Ramsey. Hasselbaink’s stock is very high, because Burton like Walsall have punched above their weight with modest budgets.

Smith should be Bradshaw about bringing Walsall winners with him

Having sold Andre Gray for big money this summer, it wouldn’t be surprising if a winter window move were sanctioned by Smith to sign Saddlers striker Tom Bradshaw to lead the Brentford attack.

Given a maiden call-up to Wales’ senior squad for the end of year international friendlies, if Bradshaw could show Chris Coleman he could cut it in the Championship, then he might just make the Dragons’ squad for Euro 2016.

St Kitts and Nevis attacking midfielder Romaine Sawyers, meanwhile, is another Walsall wonder that it could be worth cashing in on. His goals and assists have supplemented Bradshaw’s scoring exploits nicely.

The Saddlers’ reluctance to lose Smith was clear in the club statement release following his move to the Bees, but at their level every player has their price. What price on a Brentford promotion? It’s 12/1 they grace the Premier League next season.

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