Walsall fans have taken to social media this weekend to offer their opinion on Max Melbourne, who has spent the second half of the season on loan at the Bescot.
Max has to be one of the unluckiest footballers out there in terms of his Imps career. Handed a contract by Michael last winter, he got into the first-team picture, only for the season to be curtailed early. When we returned, he was injured and struggled to force his way into the first-team reckoning. Then, when loaned out to Walsall, we suffer an injury crisis and are left without a left-sided central defender, the exact position Max can cover. From the perspective of his Imps career, that’s tough.
However, he has enjoyed a highly fruitful spell in the Black Country, starting 20 games for Walsall as they battled successfully against relegation. He even scored on his debut, earning them a 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town, and with a solid run of games, he seems to have impressed the Saddlers’ fans.
His last start for the Imps came as we beat Accrington 4-0 in the EFL Trophy, and his last appearance was away at Fratton Park as an 86th-minute sub as we won 1-0. He did find minutes difficult to come by in the early stages of the season, which led to him seeking football elsewhere. His three-and-a-half-months with the Saddlers has seen more starts for him than his year with the Imps (20 compared to seven) and more league appearances too (20 compared to 14).
Season 20/21 ✔️ thank you to everyone involved @WFCOfficial ; all the best😁. pic.twitter.com/E2ZcJh9KDj
— max melbourne. (@m_melbourne3) May 9, 2021
Yesterday, in the aftermath of Walsall’s final day draw at Carlisle, Max thanks everyone at the club for his spell there and wished them all the best. He has previously stated he would be open to a move to the Bescot, and it seems after 20 matches, that is something their supporters would be keen to see too.
They replied to his Twitter thanking him for his efforts, with one fan labelling him a ‘class left back’, with others seeming sure he is going back there next season on a permanent deal.
The smile emoji might mean he knows he might be back 🙏
— S.P.R sports stats (Simon) (@Footiespr5687) May 9, 2021
Think he's just been glad play games
— S.P.R sports stats (Simon) (@Footiespr5687) May 9, 2021
Thank you for your efforts this season, would happily have you back next season. All the best!
— Liam Stewart (@LiamStewartWFC) May 9, 2021
REALY well played max this half of the season your a class left back (the best at the club) it would be great if you could stay with the club and see the banks’s stadium bouncing and lifting the league two trophy 🏆 🤞🏻🤞🏻
— 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙕𝙤𝙣𝙚 – A Walsall FC Channel (@SaddlersZone) May 9, 2021
Come back Max, you haven't seen the Bescot bouncing!
— Sami (@kingsmithy7) May 9, 2021
Thank you for your effort Max. Hopefully your here next season 👍🏻
— Kimbo (@Jake__Kimberley) May 9, 2021
Please stay
— Jamie 😮💨 (@WFCJamie) May 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/JoshRainer8/status/1391484973740437514