OXFORD United pipped Walsall to several players in the transfer market this summer, according to Saddlers boss Jon Whitney.

The two teams have experienced similar campaigns to date, faring better against Sky Bet League One’s top sides than those in the bottom half.

They meet for the first time in 15 years tomorrow having both collected 30 points from the first half of the season.

And while it is unclear who he had targeted, there will be players in the U’s line-up who were on Whitney’s shopping list in the close season.

The Walsall boss said: “Some of the players I was after in the summer ended up going there.

“They were one of the favourites with the budget and what they’ve spent.

“They’ll be looking to pick up more points but I’ve got to make sure we go there and make it very difficult for them.”

Whitney has tightened up Walsall by switching from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 in recent games, earning four points.

He said: “You can see from Bradford (1-1) and Port Vale (1-0 win) we’re difficult to beat and also have an attacking threat.

“I’ll give them respect, but I’ll concentrate on the good things we’ve done and build on that.”