Big Match Review - Walsall 6 Bristol Rovers 1

Walsall 6-1 Bristol Rovers

Saturday January 29, Banks's Stadium, (Att: 4,023)

A first win in eight saw Walsall move off the bottom of League One with an emphatic victory over fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers.

The Saddlers took the lead just past the quarter hour mark when Andy Butler connected with Matt Richards's free kick to power a header past Luke Daniels.

Matt Gill doubled the home team's advantage on 34 minutes as he fired home from inside the box after Jon Macken played him through.

It was 3-0 before the break with Julian Gray converting from just outside the box after Rovers failed to properly clear a corner.

Dave Penney's side pulled a goal back early in the second period as midfielder Jeff Hughes was picked out by Will Hoskins to beat Dave Bevan.

However, no sooner had the Gas got themselves back into the game than they found themselves picking the ball out of their own net once more.

Walsall went straight down the other end and Matt Richards fired past Daniels from distance to restore their grip on proceedings.

They wrapped things up with a couple of goals in quick succession. Firstly, Alex Nicholls shot in from just outside the box, and then Butler got his second of the afternoon with another header, this time for a corner.

It completed a miserable day for Rovers, who find themselves three points off safety. Despite Walsall boss Dean Smith earning a first win though, the Saddlers remain seven points adrift themselves.

Big Match Preview - Walsall vs. Bristol Rovers

Walsall vs. Bristol Rovers

Saturday January 29, 15:00, Banks's Stadium

Two sides in desperate need of points clash in the Black Country on Saturday with League One's bottom side Walsall meeting a Bristol Rovers team who also find themselves in the relegation zone.

They're also two sides in the infancy of new managerial reigns, with Walsall recently promoting Dean Smith to manager until the end of the season and Rovers in just their fourth match under new boss Dave Penney.

It's been a mixed bag of results for the former Oldham and Doncaster boss so far with a win, loss, and draw to date.

After starting with a 4-0 thumping at Carlisle though, the Gas have earned a 0-0 draw with Hartlepool and last weekend secured a crucial 3-1 win in their West County derby against fellow strugglers Swindon Town.

That left Rovers just two points behind fifth-bottom Town as they seek to reverse the shocking run of results which saw them slip into the bottom four - and cost former boss Paul Trollope his job.

Central to their struggles has been a leaky defence, with no side conceding more on the road then their 28 goals. Aside from their loss at Carlisle, they've also gone down to defeat in five other away trips, at Peterborough, Swindon, Plymouth, Milton Keynes, and a crushing 6-2 loss at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, they've also picked up five draws and a couple of wins - at Dagenham and Huddersfield, so Penney will be confident they can at least extend their unbeaten run to three.

Key to their hopes of beating the drop is striker Will Hoskins. The former Watford man has been linked with a move away in the transfer window, and with 12 goals is one of the leading scorers in the division.

Dave Penney is looking to lead Bristol Rovers to safety in League One

For the hosts, a win this weekend is paramount if they are to stand even the slimmest of chances of staving off a return to the basement division they exited, along with Rovers, in 2007.

It's been a nightmare campaign for Walsall who, unsurprisingly, parted company with boss Chris Hutchings earlier this month. Dean Smith stepped in as caretaker and, after two draws from his first three games, he was appointed to the role for the remainder of the season.

However, last weekend's defeat at Exeter followed by Tuesday night's draw with Oldham has left the Saddlers bottom - seven points off their opponents on Saturday and nine from safety.

Their form at the Banks's has been woeful - losing eight in 12. Their record of 51 goals conceded is also the poorest in League One.

Wins on home soil have come against Carlisle, Exeter, and Plymouth, and Smith will know the name of Bristol Rovers must be added to that list if Walsall are to not be cut well adrift.

The stand-out performer for the Saddlers this term has been midfield Matt Richards, whose dead ball expertise allied with seven goals make him central to their chances of staying up.

The two sides only met as recently as January 11 - sharing a 2-2 draw at the Memorial Stadium - a game which saw Penney watch his new side for the first time.

Rovers have picked up since then and appear to be moving in the right direction. If they take confidence from last weekend's win over Swindon, then they can move out of the relegation zone by condemning Walsall to yet another defeat.

Nobes' Prediction: Walsall 1 Bristol Rovers 2

Return Of The Mick

With Mick Wadsworth confirmed as Hartlepool boss until the end of the season, Nobes looks at other managers who've made a return to the game after a long absence.

Mick Wadsworth was last in charge of a League club back in 2003

The longer you're gone, the harder it is to return. So goes the theory when it comes to football management.

Stay on the sidelines rather than the touchline, and you'll soon disappear altogether - doomed to some kind of coaching or scouting role or, even worse, a TV pundit.

However, seven years after leaving his last League manager's job at Huddersfield - albeit he had a brief spell in charge at Non League Chester - Mick Wadsworth is back in management at Hartlepool.

After a successful spell as caretaker following the resignation of Chris Turner, the 60-year-old has been handed the reins until the end of the season with the, long-overdue realistic, brief of keeping Pools in League One.

It's an unexpected opportunity for the Yorkshireman, who has never managed to follow up initial success at Carlisle in the '90s at the likes of Colchester, Oldham, and Scarborough.

However, he's not the only manager to make a return after time away. Here's my top-10 rundown of some of football's returnees - and how successful they were on their comeback.


10. Nigel Spackman

Spackman was fired from his job at Barnsley in 2001 with the Reds struggling towards the foot of the Championship.

He spent the next five years working as a TV pundit but, in 2006, was the surprise choice as new boss at Millwall.

The Lions had been relegated to League One and Spackman rebuilt the squad during the summer.

A slow start saw the 49-year-old sacked with the Londoners near the foot of the table.

Verdict: A long time out of the game was followed by a brief and hugely unsuccessful return to the dugout. Best to stick to the TV studio in the future.


9. Gary Peters

The Londoner led the renaissance of Preston North End when the Lancashire club had been toiling in the basement division.

However, he was exiled from management for five years after leaving Deepdale in 1998.

On his return he walked into the mess at Exeter City - fighting for survival in the Football League.

Despite an almost miraculous end of season run, he was unable to save the Grecians from the drop and departed weeks later.

Verdict: Did extremely well to almost save Exeter and then went on to guide Shrewsbury to within 90 minutes of League One in 2007 before being harshly sacked soon after. A proven lower league manager.


8. Bryan Hamilton

After ending a second spell in charge at Wigan in 1993, Hamilton took over as national team manager of Northern Ireland.

He spent four years in that role and was out of the game for another couple until gaining a surprise return at Norwich in 2000.

The Canaries were struggling in the Championship and Hamilton steadied the ship. However, before the end of the year he had resigned his position.

Verdict: Instantly forgettable return to club management following an undistinguished spell in the international game. Management days are well behind now, which is why he's working in the media.


7. Gary Johnson

Johnson earned his reputation leading Yeovil from the Conference to League One at the start of the last decade.

However, he had first sampled League management at Cambridge United before departing in 1995.

After a brief spell at Kettering he then moved abroad - taking charge of the Latvian national team and laying the foundations that saw them qualify for Euro 2004.

He returned to England at Yeovil in 2001, winning promotion with them in 2003 - and managing in the League again a full eight years after his last crack.

Verdict: The time away worked. He thrived on his return and after leaving Yeovil he subsequently guided Bristol City to promotion from League One and the Championship play off final. Now at Peterborough.


6. Kenny Jackett

First as a player and then later a coach, Jackett served under Graham Taylor at Watford before assuming the top job in 1996.

However, a poor League One campaign saw him relegated back to Taylor's assistant and he later had a spell as Ian Holloway's right hand man at QPR.

He returned to try his hand as the main man at Swansea in 2004 - and took the Welsh club to promotion in his first full season.

Twelve months later, he secured the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and only a penalty shoot out in the League One play off final prevented the Swans from making it successive promotions.

Verdict: Watching Millwall, it's not hard to see the influence of Taylor and Holloway on Jackett's style. However, he has proved successful in guiding both the Lions and Swansea to promotion as a manager. Deserves respect.


5. Brian Talbot

Talbot began the 1991/2 campaign as Aldershot boss - he was gone after a few months, and the club were as well not long after.

After time overseas in Malta he returned home to join the coaching staff at ambitious Rushden & Diamonds - eventually becoming manager in 1999.

Maybe it was those eight years away, or maybe it was the ridiculous money being spent, but he led Diamonds into the Football League in 2001 and two years later they were in the third tier.

Verdict: It was the money. Talbot's subsequent struggles at Oldham and Oxford were more illustrative of his managerial capabilities. In truth, he landed on his feet gaining the Rushden job when he did.


4. Nigel Pearson

Along with the help of one Jimmy Glass, Pearson helped rescue Carlisle from relegation to the Conference in 1999.

However, he didn't stay on at Brunton Park and instead spent the next nine years on the coaching staff at the likes of Stoke, West Brom, and Newcastle.

Once his next managerial role came along though - he once again found himself in a relegation scrap.

However, a final day escape act at Southampton in 2008 proved he hadn't lost his skills in brinkmanship.

Verdict: Left Saints that summer and then took Leicester to League One glory followed by the Championship play offs last season. Now at Hull, he seems to have benefited from learning his trade as an assistant.


3. John Barnes

Okay, I'll hold my hands up, Tranmere's appointment of Barnes last summer was not technically a Football League management return.

However, any chance to recount that hilarious decision - as well his legendary Soccer AM/MW status - must be taken.

Barnes was, of course, installed as part of a dream managerial ticket alongside Kenny Dalglish at Glasgow Celtic in 1999.

It turned into more of a nightmare, albeit a short-lived one. Much like his time at Prenton Park nine years later.

Verdict: First place in the 2008 Caribbean Championships as Jamaica coach will, you feel, always be the pinnacle of Barnes's managerial career. Tranmere's gamble was always doomed to fail - they were lucky it didn't cost them their League One spot.


2. Paul Hart

The proverbial London Bus boss, at one point Hart had to wait a full decade between managerial jobs but then got through three just last season.

Hart was fired from basement division Chesterfield in 1991 and reverted to youth team football at Leeds and then Nottingham Forest.

He got his chance at the top job at the City Ground in 2001 after the departure of David Platt and, after a slow start, guided Forest to the Championship play offs in 2003.

There, they lost to Sheffield United, and a dreadful sequence of results that left them fighting relegation the next season saw him dismissed.

Verdict: After Forest came Barnsley, then Rushden, then Portsmouth, QPR, and finally Crystal Palace. Hart has the dubious honour of being sacked from a club in each of the top five tiers. Best to stick to bringing through the youngsters.


1. Richard Money

When Richard Money left his job as Scunthorpe boss in 1994 he still had a full head of hair.

In-between then and his return to English football in 2006 at Walsall it had mostly gone.

Those 12 years away saw him work at Aston Villa and Coventry before moving abroad to Sweden and then Australia.

His appointment at the Saddlers was out of the blue - but, thanks to a resolute defence, he led the Black Country outfit to the League Two title in his first season.

Verdict: A stunning return to League management. More than a decade away, but Money instantly turned around Walsall's fortunes. Now at the helm of Conference side Luton, where he is once again plotting a promotion push.

Big Match Analysis - Dagenham 1 Walsall 1

As part of our series on the state of rearguard play in the Football League, and with Turls away this week, Nobes steps into the breach to analyse the defending from our Big Match.

Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Walsall

Saturday October 16, Victoria Road, (Att: 2,666)

It's the in-vogue thing in football these days. No, I'm not referring to the ridiculous guards of honour of flag waving kids that greet players onto the pitch.

Rather, I'm talking about high scoring, care free, goal crazy matches.

It was a trend continued this weekend: Bury beating Torquay 4-3 and Hereford winning at Northampton by the same scoreline.

Sheffield United and Burnley shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw and Peterborough edged out Swindon in a remarkable 5-4 contest.

There were also 3-2 scorelines in games at Accrington, Macclesfield, Portsmouth, Cardiff, and Bournemouth. The League's gone goal crazy.

Things were a bit more routine at our Big Match this weekend as Walsall travelled to Dagenham & Redbridge. Here's my take on how the defences performed for the goals:

Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Walsall 0

Daggers striker Bas Savage - not nearly as scary as his name - is an awkward customer and does well to shield the ball from his defender on the far right touchline.

It could be argued the Saddlers defender who goes to double up on him leaves a man free on the wing to cross it in.

However, where Walsall really let themselves down is allowing Darren Currie to have the freedom of London to head the ball in. There's no one within five yards of him.

The defence have got sucked towards the ball and left a big hole in the middle. It's a good cross, but you can't allow someone that much time and space.

Also think the keeper, who seemed to get a hand on the ball, could have done better and turned it around the post.

Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Walsall 1

Dagenham out-Dagenham-ed here with a long ball punted forward leading to the equaliser from Walsall.

The ball bounces - always dangerous for a defender - but he allows himself to be out fought for it by Jon Macken.

Now, I know Kevin Keegan once spunked £6 million of Manchester City's money on Macken - and that was in the days they couldn't afford to waste millions. Seriously though, you can't allow yourself to be beaten up by him.

Seeing his pal make a mess of things, the left back comes towards Macken to try and make amends - leaving a nice big gap in behind for the striker to slide the ball onto Devaney - the on-rushing right winger.

Still work to do from here, with two defenders busting a gut to get back. He gets a shot away which seems to squirm under or through keeper Tony Roberts.

True, Roberts probably qualifies for a bus pass he's so old these days. It takes him a while to get to ground probably. However, it's a tame shot to let in. There's not much pace on the ball, and it's not aimed right in the corner.

Conclusion:

Early season form suggests these two could have a long hard winter ahead of them as they battle to avoid the drop into League Two.

It's no surprise to see both sides struggling to keep clean sheets - just one each this term so far.

However, they're going to need to make themselves harder to score past if they're to avoid relegation. Both teams were punished because they lost their defensive shape.

Why? Because players made mistakes and others tried to help them out. While that's natural and right, it means that the whole team needs to cover. Where is the man checking the run of Devaney for Walsall's goal?

Where, too, is the midfielder keeping tabs on Currie's run into the box? It's not like he moves particularly quickly these days.

Both managers can feel aggrieved with their respective team's defending. The happiest person after this result? Me. I predicted the scoreline beforehand - and that so rarely happens that I'm going to make the most of it.

Big Match Review - Dagenham 1 Walsall 1

Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Walsall

Saturday October 16, Victoria Road, (Att: 2,666)

Early season strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge and Walsall were forced to share the points after a tightly fought encounter left both sides in the bottom four.

The Londoners were dominant in the early stages, and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 26 minutes. Veteran Darren Currie getting on the end of a right wing cross to power a near post header past Jonny Brain.

John Still's men almost doubled their advantage before the interval but Danny Green saw his delightfully executed free kick rattle the cross bar and bounce out of harm's way.

Just five minutes into the second period though, and the Saddlers had restored parity.

Jon Macken capitalised on a long ball forward to set up Martin Devaney to slide the ball past Tony Roberts.

The men from the Black Country improved after the break, but they were indebted to David Davis for a goal line clearance from Romain Vincelot's header.

Chris Hutchings's side almost stole maximum spoils in stoppage time when Reuben Reid's shot came back off the post.

It ended all square though, with a point not helping either side much in their quest to get out of trouble.

Big Match Preview

Dagenham & Redbridge vs. Walsall

Saturday October 16, 15:00, Victoria Road

It may be a little too early to call this one a six pointer, but two of League One's early strugglers clash in East London this weekend as Walsall travel to Dagenham & Redbridge.

The two teams are separated only by goal difference as they sit 21st and 20th respectively. Both managers will know the importance of Saturday's game therefore.

For the Daggers - promoted from League Two last term - home form will be key to their hopes of survival in their first ever season in the third tier of English football.

They've made a promising start at Victoria Road, too, with wins against Swindon and Leyton Orient accompanying draws with Tranmere and Exeter.

However, at times, they have shown a difficulty against superior opponents - and a 3-0 home loss to Bristol Rovers is testament to what can happen when the Londoners aren't on their game.

Despite operating with the smallest budget in the division, Dagenham will be hoping long-serving boss John Still is once again able to help them punch above their weight.

One astute acquisition appears to be defender Romain Vincelot, snapped up from France, who has bagged five goals so far and is their leading scorer.

His threat in the air - particularly from the set plays so crucial to the Daggers - will be a main component of Still's men's attacks.

Early struggles have put Walsall's Chris Hutchings under pressure

The visitors will know exactly what to expect as they go in search of a first away win in five.

On the road, the Saddlers have already lost at Hartlepool, Rochdale, and Brighton, but did record a victory at bottom-club Brentford back in August.

After a comfortable mid-table season last term, it's been a surprise early struggle for Walsall - which has put the pressure firmly on boss Chris Hutchings.

Last weekend's win over Exeter in the West Midlands may well have saved the former-Bradford boss his job - but he can't afford a return to losing ways on Saturday.

They have certainly missed the goals of Troy Deeney - sold to Watford at the start of the campaign. Much of the burden has fallen on West Brom loanee Reuben Reid - who has notched four goals to date.

He was recently given funds to boost his squad with the loan signing of Barnsley winger Martin Devaney, and Hutchings will also hope for more from experienced striking duo Darren Byfield and Jon Macken.

It'll be the Walsall defence which may well be the key to a result though. If they can stand up to the aerial bombardment they will face then they will get a result.

It's a game the home side really need to win if they're to stay up, but they may have to settle for a draw in a tight contest.

Nobes' Prediction: Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Walsall 1

Saints and Sinners

After Southampton's decision to fire boss Alan Pardew, Nobes looks at some of the other unwarranted managerial sackings that defied belief.

Pardew was given just three games at the start of the season at Saints

It's the kind of shocking sacking that, quite frankly, we shouldn't find so surprising.

Given the strength of their squad, Southampton's decision to sack Alan Pardew may not cost them promotion. It has certainly lost them much respect and raised questions about those running the club though.

The dismissal of the former West Ham boss just three games into the new season, and particularly after Saturday's 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers, seems incredibly harsh.

Whatever the reasons - results motivated or otherwise - it's hard to justify sacking a proven manager at that level.

Then again, it's not the first sacking, and certainly won't be the last, to bemuse onlookers. Here's my rundown of some of the worst Football League sackings of recent times.


10. Colin Lee - Walsall

You couldn't help but feel for Colin Lee when he was given the boot from the Saddlers in 2004.

After Plymouth expressed an interest in taking Lee to Home Park, Walsall gave him permission to talk to the Pilgrims.

However, after deciding to remain in the West Midlands, he was sacked by chairman Jeff Bonser for a lack of loyalty and creating 'uncertainty' around the club.

It was to prove costly for Walsall though. Up until then they had been winning their battle against relegation from the Championship.

After Lee's departure they lost three of their remaining four games and dropped into League One. They've never been back to the second tier since.


9. Eric Black - Coventry City

So angry were Coventry fans at the sacking of Eric Black in 2004 that they staged a 'Black Day' protest for replacement Peter Reid's first home game in charge.

The Scot had only been in charge of the Sky Blues for four months and had led them into the top half playing an attractive brand of football.

Despite picking up 29 points in his 18 games though, chairman Mike McGinnity said the team had been too 'inconsistent' and fired Black.

Replacement Reid failed to do anywhere near as well, and was sacked less than a year later after poor results and even worse football.


8. Peter Jackson - Huddersfield Town

Jackson had two spells in charge of the Terriers - whom he had played for during his career, too. It was his first departure which caused most angst, though.

He had taken over in 1997 with the Yorkshire outfit fighting relegation from the Championship.

After keeping them up he then took them to 10th the following campaign.

However, the popular manager was then sacked and replaced by 'big-name' Steve Bruce - who was sacked after a poor start to the 2000/1 season.

It ended with Town being relegated to the third, and later fourth, tier. Only on Jackson's return in 2003 did he immediately take Town back into League One and they only missed out on a return to the Championship in the play offs in 2006.


7. Gary Peters - Shrewsbury Town

The former Preston boss had turned around Salop's fortunes since joining them in 2004.

He kept Shrewsbury in the Football League and then set about building a team capable of challenging at the right end.

That culminated in the 2007 play off final where, despite taking the lead, they lost out to Bristol Rovers at Wembley.

Despite so much progress, a sticky spell in the following campaign - his first at the club - saw him promptly dismissed.

Successor Paul Simpson was granted huge funds to gain promotion but could only match Peters with a play off final defeat to Gillingham in 2009. Had Peters had similar money to spend, Town probably would have been promoted by now.


6. Gareth Southgate - Middlesbrough

Southgate had been at the helm as Boro crashed out of the Premier League after 11 seasons in the big time.

However, he had been given the opportunity to get them back at the first attempt - and seemed to be making a good fist of it.

A 2-0 win against Derby saw Boro lying 4th after 13 games - just a single point off top spot.

However, Southgate was then sacked and in came former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan.

The Teessiders' form dropped off remarkably and they ended the season in 11th - a full 40 points behind Champions Newcastle United.


5. Danny Wilson - Hartlepool United

After relegation to the basement division in 2006, Pools turned to the experienced Danny Wilson to help get them back up into League One.

He did so - and at the first time of asking.

United finished 2nd - missing out on the title by a single point - and then he helped re-establish them back in the third tier with a respectable finish of 15th.

A solid start to the next season saw Pools in the top half but, after successive draws saw them drop to 13th in December, he was sacked.

They finished that season in 19th - a single point above the drop zone, and last term only survived on goal difference. Slipping out of the top half suddenly doesn't seem so bad now.


4. Ian Atkins - Oxford United

When Oxford beat Cheltenham 1-0, they sat 4th in the League Two standings - a point off the automatic promotion places.

They had only been beaten once at home all season and, with nine games of the season remaining, looked a sure bet for at least a place in the play offs.

Despite that good form, manager Ian Atkins had not been offered a new deal.

With his current one due to expire in the summer, he signed a pre-contract agreement to take over at Bristol Rovers for the next season.

Chairman Firoz Kassam decided to fire Atkins and appointed Graham Rix in his stead.

However, Rix's attempt to get a direct team to play passing football failed spectacularly as one win in their last nine saw Oxford miss out on the top seven altogether.


3. Russell Slade - Yeovil Town

Most pundits predicted a struggle for Yeovil when Russell Slade was appointed in 2006.

However, the season ended with the Glovers at Wembley - where they only lost out to Blackpool in the play off final.

Slade had taken a club punching above their weight to stay in League One to within 90 minutes of the Championship.

On meagre resources, it was a fantastic achievement.

It saw him linked to other jobs, but Town rebuffed any approaches. Yeovil ended up 18th the next year and the following campaign was another battle against the drop - but four straight wins in the New Year saw them comfortably in mid table.

However, he was then jettisoned from Huish Park due to a 'breakdown' in his relationship with the board. Town won just three of their remaining 17 games and stayed up by just a couple of points.



2. Ronnie Moore - Tranmere Rovers

Moore had been a great striker for Rovers, and returned to the club as manager in 2006.

In his first two seasons in charge he guided the Wirral outfit to 9th and 11th in League One.

The next term saw Rovers once again mount a push for the top six and they finished 7th, only narrowly missing on the play offs out by a couple of points.

However, the board decided to axe Moore - blaming him for falling attendances - and appointed former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes as his replacement.

It was a disastrous decision. Barnes endured a torrid beginning to the 2009/10 campaign and Tranmere only escaped the drop on the final day of the season under his successor, Les Parry.


1. Alan Irvine - Preston North End

Alan Irvine had joined Preston with the club struggling at the foot of the Championship in 2007.

An improved second half of the season saw him guide North End to 15th and safety, though.

The next season they were fighting it out for a place in the play offs and four wins at the end of the season helped them edge out Cardiff for a place in the top six.

There they lost to Sheffield United, but a fine start to the 2009/10 once again had them in contention. Then a poor run - his first at the club - earned him a shock dismissal at the end of 2009.

Replacement Darren Ferguson oversaw a terrible run of results that saw them slide down the table - only narrowly securing another season of Championship football. They have continued to struggle at the start of the new season.

Nothing to shout about

As the end of the season approaches, Nobes reflects on supporting a side whose season has been one of mid-table mediocrity.

It's been a quiet mid-table season in League One for Saddlers fans this term

You know it's been a pretty boring season when the highlight of your team's campaign is winning at Leeds to end the Yorkshire club's unbeaten home record.

Spare a thought then for supporters of Walsall - whose season never even got exciting enough to warrant the term 'anti-climax' being used to describe it.

Monday's victory over Wycombe pushed Chris Hutchings's side over the 50-point mark - securing safety for another season in League One.

However, with them sitting too far off the top six, it leaves them with the prospect of half a dozen games of the season remaining with nothing to play for.

The prospect of six games which, in the grand scheme of things, mean very little to Saddlers fans. Indeed, they might even be questioning whether turning up would be worth the entrance fee.

After all, watching their team going through the motions in games that mean very little to them is hardly great box office. The atmosphere at the ground notably suffers, players begin to think about spending their holiday on a beach somewhere.

In truth, it's almost like ending the season how you began it - with a distinct pre-season game feeling consuming everyone involved with a team whose season is effectively over.

Not that they haven't had a long time to consider this happening. They hit their highest point of the season - 6th - after just two games. After five matches they were 17th for a week - their lowest position of the campaign.

Since then, the Saddlers have fluctuated between 10th and 16th all season - sometimes popping up in the top half of the table, then slipping down into the bottom half the week after. Not exactly the excitement traditionally associated with yo-yoing.

One highlight of the season was a first round FA Cup tie away at Black Country rivals Stourbridge. It ended in a narrow win for Walsall, but it probably meant more to the Non League side than their League One neighbours.

Not that it was the start of any glorious Cup run for the club either - they were dumped out in the very next round to Brentford.

Indeed, their cup runs were all curtailed very quickly, suffering first round exits to League Two outfits - in the League Cup to Accrington and in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to Bury.

As seen with Carlisle's success in the JPT - a mid-table season can often be livened up with a cup run. Walsall fans weren't afforded any similar excitement.

However, there is another way of looking at things. After all - relegation battles can be exciting - but would Saddlers supporters really want to be losing sleep and sweating over results in the spring sunshine?

Instead of frantically and desperately hoping to hear positive news from other grounds across the stadium - they can enjoy watching football in peace and relax.

They also have the opportunity of possibly spoiling a few teams' parties, and playing an important role in determining who finishes in the top six and who goes down.

Games against the likes of promotion chasing Huddersfield and Swindon, and strugglers Hartlepool and Tranmere could yet be crucial for those sides.

Thumbs up, but it's been a quiet season for Chris Hutchings's Walsall

Unfortunately, their last two matches - against Carlisle and Milton Keynes - are likely to be games between two sides with nothing at all to play for. In the May heat, a few people could be forgiven for having an afternoon snooze.

Of course, that's if your glass is half empty. Half full, and you'll be hoping to see two sides playing care-free, exhibition football. Freedom can often lead to a better, more open, game of football - and plenty of goals.

While a mid-table season doesn't cause any anxiety to a team's supporters though, it can provide a few headaches for club accountants.

After all, even when a side is involved in a relegation battle, there's increased interest, and often fans will come in their numbers to help their beleagured team.

Mid-table mediocrity is not great box office, and the Saddlers have the second lowest average attendances in League One. That's despite there being plenty of smaller clubs in the division. The monotony of their campaign could be the reason for this.

It also impacts upon season ticket sales for the next term. Is spending hundreds of pounds to watch your team every other week worth the money - particularly in these difficult economic times - when another dull campaign beckons?

Or do they show their committment to their club in the hope that this mid-table season was one of transition - the first full one under Hutchings - and that the foundations have been laid for a top six challenge next term.

Just what chance do the West Midlands club have of returning to the Championship level of football they last played at in 2004?

Or have they now reached their natural level after dropping right down to League Two in 2006.

Both issues to concern Walsall fans over the summer. For now, they can just enjoy a few more stress-free weeks.

Big Match Review - Stourbridge 0 Walsall 1

FA Cup

Stourbridge 0-1 Walsall

Saturday November 7, War Memorial Ground, (Att: 2,014)

Steve Jones's first half goal was enough for League One Walsall to edge out Non League Stourbridge in the Black Country derby to make the second round of the FA Cup.

The away side began the more confident of the teams and Stuart Brock was called into action in the Stourbridge goal to save Troy Deeney's drive from outside the box.

However, he was powerless to prevent the Saddlers taking the lead just after the half hour mark. Jones seized on hesitancy in the home defence to cut inside and crash an unstoppable shot past Brock and in at the near post.

The Glassboys, backed by a full crowd at their War Memorial Ground, began to press for a way back into the game, and Clayton Ince had to be alert to push away Sean Evans shot for a corner.

Things became stretched in the second half as the Southern Premier team pushed for the equaliser, but only the linesman's flag spared them from falling two behind.

Jones outpaced the Stourbridge backline and swung in a cross that found Matt Richards, but his shot back across goal was touched in by Darren Byfield in an offside position.

Gary Hackett's men responded, and after a long throw caused panic in the Walsall box, they had appeals for a penalty turned down for a shot which appeared to strike the arm of a Saddlers defender.

The Worcestershire-side continued to attack, and Evans and substitute Linden Dovey both had late shots blocked as time began to ran out on the Non Leaguers.

And Chris Hutching's side almost wrapped up the tie when Jones sent Alex Nicholls through, but his thunderous drive hit the bar with Brock beaten. However, it didn't matter, with Walsall progressing through to a second round tie against either Gateshead or Brentford.

Big Match Preview

FA Cup

Stourbridge vs. Walsall

Saturday November 7, 13:00, War Memorial Ground

Southern Premier League side Stourbridge host neighbours Walsall in a Black Country derby as the FA Cup First Round kicks off this weekend.

The two West Midlands towns are separated by just 14 miles, but the Glassboys will be hoping to bridge a gap of four divisions between themselves and their League One visitors.

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings will be aware that Saturday's game represents a potential banana skin against local rivals desparate to get one over more illustrious opponents.

However, any upset will require Stourbridge, 14th in the Southern League, to improve upon a home record which has seen them record just one league win at their War Memorial Ground.

Indeed, their run to this stage of the Cup - the furthest they've ever been - has largely been built on away successes. After a 1-1 draw at Bromsgrove in the First Qualifying Round they beat their Worcestershire rivals 1-0 in the replay.

Evesham were then dispatched 1-0 away, before winning 6-1 in a replay at Hucknall in the Third Qualifying Round after they had drawn the initial game 0-0. They secured their tie against Walsall with a 4-0 victory at another UniBond League side in Buxton.

Strikers Sean Evans and Ryan Rowe, both with nine goals this season, have been the scoring force behind the Glassboys' Cup run. Long-serving manager Gary Hackett, in his seventh season with the club, will be looking to the pair to find the back of the net this weekend.

Stourbridge's War Memorial Ground is sold out for the Walsall tie

For Walsall, currently in mid-table in League One, a cup run would provide a welcome boost for the fans as well as the club's accountants. It's been a steady season for the inconsistent Saddlers to date.

Three away wins in the league have been notched up, including last weekend's 3-2 comeback victory at Wycombe. However, they've also suffered four defeats on the road too, so which Walsall side turns up will be a determining factor.

Hutchings will be hoping Stourbridge's defence will find forwards of the like of five-goal man Steve Jones, and Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney, both with four, too hot to handle.

He'll also be hoping the experience of Trinidad & Tobago keeper Clayton Ince will help keep things tight at the back against hosts sure to put pressure on the away side's defence.

The FA Cup is a great leveller, and with a sell out crowd for a side who usually get around 300 fans to games, the Stourbridge players will certainly raise their game against their local rivals.

However, Walsall may just have a bit too much quality for their Southern League opponents, and should just about squeeze through this one.

Nobes' Prediction: Stourbridge 1 Walsall 2