I don’t think it’s over the top to say what a massive result Tuesday’s win was, writes Walsall blogger Mark Jones.
A decent enough Forest team, trying to play the kind of football Cloughie intended, were always going to be real test.
The victory showed just how far we’ve come in a relatively short space of time. It also provided a few intriguing questions:
What can we realistically expect out of this season now?
Just how far can this team actually go?
Just how wide was Tommy Mooney’s grin after that injury time sliding tackle?
And … if we beat Forest again, do we get to keep them?
Turning to the sensible question first … I was almost in line with Tommy, and the guttural roar followed by the smile of satisfaction on his face after he’d closed down their left back demonstrated the total commitment and attitude that he brings to the side.
This is obviously infectious too as the rest of the team are all prepared to do their fair share of grafting.
The back four in particular have been outstanding over the last few weeks and you have to keep reminding yourself just how young they are.
The reports that we are trying to tie the likes of Fox and Dann on long term deals as well as make Michael Ricketts’ deal permanent are encouraging.
With the emergence of Mark Bradley, Ish, Dave McDermott and the welcome return of Alex Nicholls, there is every reason to be optimistic that we can once again challenge for that place in the second tier of English football that was tossed away a few years ago.
Not just yet though.
I really don’t think we’re quite ready to challenge at the top end of the table, let alone go up and survive - yet.
We have a lot of games to play over the next month, injuries and suspensions will start to kick in at some point and any fan with a half-decent knowledge of the game will be aware that there is always the possibility of a dip in form for some of the more inexperienced players.
Added to this is the inevitable disappointment in the transfer market that is almost always a part of the Walsall F.C. experience (O’Connor, Fryatt, Kevin Harper all immediately spring to mind) and the fact that we have had some alarming New Year nightmares in recent times, albeit with lesser managers than DD.
Personally I’ll be happy if we can finish the season inside the top ten, keeping up the consistency in the performances, gradually bringing on the younger lads and taking the odd scalp on the way.
Having said that, old habits die hard, we’re long overdue a win over the annoying little ***** from Crewe, so three points would be very welcome.
See you Saturday.
Walsall fans what do you think, have your say below?
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