Walsall blog: Optimism for 2008

So the win one draw one sequence continues as the Mighty Saddlers managed to pick up a more than decent eight points from the festive programme, writes Walsall blogger Mark Jones.

Losing Tommy Mooney 10 minutes into the game at Fail Park on Boxing Day was a blow as was Foxy’s sending off and subsequent suspension.

Yet the fact that we’ve still been able to keep the run going despite having such a small, inexperienced squad speaks volumes about the character of the team and the management.

The Millwall match was a bit of a stroll with the only real disappointment being that we didn’t go on and score five or six.

I can’t believe they’ll be as inept when it comes to Saturday’s game. In fact the last time we did the double over the Lions (98/99), we won 3-0 at home and 2-1 away but they beat us in a big cup tie – you have been warned.

Port Fail was the kind of below-par showing that a lot of us had been predicting was due.

Certainly we didn’t play well and the fact that the ref seemed to lose any semblance of control at the end of the first half didn’t help matters.

But the never say die spirit of the lads and a piece of quality in injury time from Michael Ricketts to set up Rhys Weston for the cross that he himself finished made the draw feel like a victory.

It was harsh on the locals … like I care!

The trip to T’Oldham looked like being the toughest of the Xmas period, especially as they were on a good run themselves.

So what do we go and do? Only pull out a textbook away performance, defending like our lives depended on it but still being able to counter and cause them plenty of problems.

The 2-0 win definitely breaking the away record of last season.

I remember them giving permission for Mikey to play in the game right at the start of his loan spell, which probably reflects how he was regarded at T’Boundary Park at the time.

I have a feeling that opinion might have altered slightly since last weekend.

New Years Day was another point gained. Sure we didn’t hit the heights of previous games but we still had chances to win, although Donny fans would probably make the same claim.

It was also good to see two sides trying to play football for the whole 90 minutes.

As for individual performances, Richard Taundry is the latest player to come out of the reserves and settle straight into first team football.

He’s already showed his versatility and more importantly he doesn’t shirk a tackle.

I’ve also been impressed by Troy Deeney and Alex Nicholls who both seem to be adding more to their game with every appearance, both are due a goal too.

The back four have been as mean as ever and I think Darren Wrack deserves a special mention for his defensive midfield role, the fact that Michael Dobson won’t be an automatic choice for a recall says a lot about the way Wracky has grown into this position over the last two months.

To be fair though every player has made some contribution to the climb up the table.

37 points from 24 games and sixth place at the start of 2008 - can’t be bad. Happy New Year.

Walsall fans, what do you think? Have your say below