Walsall blog: Real test begins

Now for the big test, writes Walsall blogger Mark Jones.

After a superb 18 game unbeaten run that was both unlikely and unexpected, how the boys react to the narrow, frustrating defeat at Millwall is going to tell us a lot about the way the rest of the season will pan out.

A quick scan of the fixture list sees the next eight games against teams bang in form (Bristol Rovers twice, Gillingham), just below us (Orient, Yeovil and Swindon again) or, in a couple of tough road trips, above us (Carlisle, Swansea). 

The character, attitude and ability of the current squad will all be tested to the limits before the leap year has begun.

What is important is that we can show sufficient mental toughness to get over what is basically a small blip (albeit a disappointing one).

Richard Money was quite right to point out that now might be the time to give some of our young players a bit of support.

Knowing exactly the right time to leave players out might turn out to be as important a decision for the boss as the one he made when he threw them in.

Fortunately this should be helped by the imminent return of a few players from the treatment room. 

Despite the promising progress of Deeney and Nicholls up front, Mooney and Ricketts have been missed the most as Tommy and Mikey together are more than a match for your average League One defence.

Having Dobson and Boertien (ironically our best player during those barren early days of the season) back will give us more options and there was just enough quality from Lee Holmes on Saturday to suggest he could be a real handful at this level.

Up until now I’ve tried to avoid comparisons with the 98/99 season (which is incidentally my all time favourite year of all time) even though there are a number of obvious parallels.

However Ray Graydon’s fantastic side do point the way as being the ultimate comeback kings who you’d write off at your peril. 

At every point in that season that you thought (or as a Walsall fan, expected) the wheels to come off, maybe with the odd defeat, dropped point, injury or suspension.

Then Rambo, Ada and Co. would pull off a huge result that not only got things back on track but actually made us even stronger.

Mental strength? These boys wrote the instruction manual.

To be fair to Dicky, last season’s team also had some of these qualities.

We didn’t panic after the three straight defeats in February that saw the Monkey boys overtake us or after the shocker against the Shakers in April.

Ok, so it wasn’t always pretty, but did anyone really care come 4.50 on May 5th?    

Since the turning point of hitting rock bottom in September, the Mighty Saddlers have answered every question that’s been asked of them. I think they’re capable of answering a few more before May.

Finally, it’s a pity the Dan Fox transfer saga is dragging on.

It’s quite a frustrating time for the club as it obviously has a knock on effect on our ability to bring in new faces.

Spare a thought for the player too, especially as he now only seems to be linked to small time no-hopers. Never mind Danny boy.

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