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Jimmy Walker: Walsall shouldn't fear play-offs

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Goalkeeping legend Jimmy Walker reckons the League One play-offs should hold no fear for Walsall – if they fail to go up automatically.

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Unsurprisingly, the Saddlers' record appearance holder hopes Jon Whitney's side can land a top two spot on Sunday.

Walsall need to beat Port Vale and hope Burton Albion, who currently hold second spot, lose at all-but-relegated Doncaster.

But even if things don't fall their way, 'Wacka' believes the Saddlers will still have a very strong chance of going up through the play-offs.

The former shot-stopper was part of Ray Graydon's squad which beat Reading 4-2 at Millennium Stadium in 2001.

He also won promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs four years later with West Ham.

He said: "If you are going to go up – if you can guarantee it – then the best way is to do it through the play-offs.

"It's better than a cup final. There's so much at stake, it's a great occasion and to win it at Wembley, there's nothing better.

"They are the two that probably stand out the most, the one with Walsall and one with West Ham.

"To do it at Wembley... we're getting spoiled aren't we? It's written surely isn't it?

"There was a massive thing made about not getting to Wembley in the club's existence before last year and now they can possibly get there again."

Automatic promotion remains the aim of Whitney's squad for as long as it is possible.

But a single point at Vale would be enough to guarantee them third place and a play-off semi-final against either Barnsley, Scunthorpe or Gillingham.

A defeat would open the door for Millwall to potentially snatch third and set the Saddlers up for a likely re-match with Bradford, who beat them 4-0 at Valley Parade less than a fortnight ago.

Yet Walker is confident that, whoever the opponents, Walsall – who responded to that setback with back-to-back home wins against Shrewsbury and Fleetwood – will prove tough to beat.

He said: "When they set up like they did against Fleetwood and Shrewsbury in the last two games, Walsall are as good a team if not better, than anyone in the play-offs.

"They are definitely better than Millwall. Bradford are anyone different kettle of fish, but I still fancy Walsall against anyone.

"I think the most important thing is to get the home tie second, that's massive.

"If it is to be through the play-offs, go and win the game at Vale, finish third, let Millwall and Bradford fight it out and play one of them on a big pitch at Wembley."

Walker has gained plenty of experience of League One over the past few years, having been goalkeeping coach at both Peterborough and Gillingham.

While the odds might not favour the Saddlers going into Sunday, he believes anything can still happen.

He said: "They have taken it to the final day of the season and that was their job. They have momentum. It's not in their own hands but let's hope they can do it.

"Obviously, Doncaster have had the devastation of going down but they will want to finish off on as much of a high as they can in front of their own fans with a win.

"It's not over, things happen in football don't they? You just never know, that's why it's such a great game."