CLAYTON Ince is adamant that Walsall have not just gone up to League One to "make up the numbers".
The Saddlers sprung back out of League Two at the first time of asking last term and their superiority at that level was clear and their elevation merited.
Quite where they will fit into the League One table as next season evolves remains to be seen.
But Ince, fresh from signing a new two-year contract at the Banks Stadium, insists the Saddlers do not intend to tread water. They want to push on again.
"I want to be involved in a team that is going places and is pushing for promotion," Ince said. "And I believe that I will get that once more here at Walsall during the season ahead.
"We will be going out to prove to people that we deserve to be at this level and are not just here to make up the numbers.
"The gaffer has done well so far this pre-season with the players he has brought in and Jon Whitney has been working the lads hard.
"We have a fully-fit squad of players who are all enjoying coming into training each day and our bond is getting stronger and stronger all of the time."
Walsall's warm-up matches begin with a second-string friendly visit to Boldmere next Tuesday before the seniors have their first outing, at Worcester the following Saturday.