Dean Smith calls on Saddlers fans to raise the roof
Friday 29th April 2011, 12:04PM BST.
Walsall fans were today backed to raise the roof and haul the Saddlers to safety.
They welcome Charlton for the final home game of the season – and their biggest in years – knowing a win is vital to keep their survival hopes alive.
The Saddlers sit fifth bottom in League One, a point above the drop zone, and fans’ group Unity have rallied for a ‘just wear red’ day in a bid to inspire their team.
Victory would relegate Dagenham and Bristol Rovers – if they lose to Carlisle and Sheffield Wednesday – and the message from boss Dean Smith is clear.
“Just get behind the players and hopefully they will repay the faith,” he said, ahead of the Banks’s Stadium clash.
“The supporters have a massive part to play. They’ve got behind us and when they’ve done that it’s lifted us.
“One of the big examples was against Southampton when it was a backs-to-the-walls job and the supporters got involved and pulled us through.
“They saw the start we had against Sheffield Wednesday and got behind us there. I’ll have to go and buy a red jumper!”
The Saddlers cannot clinch survival tomorrow – because of Plymouth’s game in hand against Southampton on Monday – but three points would leave them in pole position to pull off the Great Escape.
And chief executive Stefan Gamble hailed the fans’ initiative and hopes it will add extra spice to a crucial game.
“It’s a nice idea,” said Gamble. “I’d love nothing more than to see a packed stadium, full of Walsall fans showing their colours.”
“The fans have a massive role to play this weekend. Their support has been fantastic in recent weeks and we need them to really get behind us on Saturday.
“This is certainly our single most important game for many years and I’d encourage every Walsall supporter to get down to the Banks’s Stadium get behind Dean and the team.”
UK Sport
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