Walsall v Brentford - 500

I’ve been asked to go to the Bescott for tonight’s clash with Brentford and – looking at recent results – I expect to find a very different Walsall team from the one I saw on my last visit.
At that time Chris Hutchings was in charge and the Saddlers just managed to squeak past Fleetwood in an FA Cup replay. Jimmy Walker was the man of the match that night and the minnows from the north-west could have been four up at half time if it hadn’t been for the keeper who will make his 500th appearance for the club is if he’s selected tonight.

Things appeared to have changed under new boss Dean Smith. Walsall started scrapping for their lives after former player and youth team manager Smith was made caretaker manager until the end of the season back in January. Walsall’s last home game saw them spank Hartlepool 5-2 and in the 19 games Smith has been in charge they have won five, drawn eight and lost the remaining six.

Smith was rewarded with a two year contract on April 1st and the Saddlers promptly lost their next game away to fellow strugglers Plymouth, but victory tonight would see his team move out of the relegation zone – on goal difference. It’s so tight at the bottom now that goal difference may well be very important in May. Aside from the stuffing meted out to the monkey hangers, Smith’s boys have also put six past Bristol Rovers.

The season is all, but over for the Bees. There is still an outside chance of a play-off place, but player-manager Nicky Forster has done an excellent job steadying the ship following the departure of Andy Scott in early February.

Like Smith, Forster was offered the job on a permanent basis in March, although only until the end of the season. His record is impressive though and he has overseen eight wins, two draws and five defeats including the final of the JP Trophy against Carlisle.