Walsall blog: Story of Our Season 2

Continuing with 2009: -

It could have been worse

It amazes me how easy it is to get linked with a vacant managerial job. Seemingly all you have to do is get your agent to put your name forward or to play golf with a local journo and bingo - your name's on the list.

There were some right losers associated with the Saddlers this January. When a poll put most of them up against the hero that is Alan Buckley, 'the Buck' naturally came out on top and all of a sudden he was the 'fans favourite' without, to my knowledge, ever actually being a serious contender.

The speculation that both the dreaded Ian Atkins and the vastly over-rated John Ward were shortlisted shows what a lucky escape we had.

Return of two old friends

Chris Hutchings only had one season at Bescot as a player but his appointment was a welcome one. Martin O'Connor on the other hand is a Saddlers legend, so it was a clever move to bring him back as assistant boss.

The football has been better, they've both shown that they'll take no nonsense - as has been proved with this week's retained list - and you feel they both have ambition.

Let's hope they get the chance to realise it in WS1.

Mick Halsall stays

At the time of the managerial upheaval, it also looked as though we were to lose youth team coach Mick Halsall to Stoke.

He's been a brilliant servant to the club for over a decade - I wonder what happened to the proposed testimonial? - so he would have been a massive loss.

Thankfully he was persuaded to stay. Clubs like Walsall need a few more of the Micky Halsall's of this world and a few less of the football consultants.

Leeds – Too big for this league?

The ticket allocation was a great cock-up but there was a rare good atmosphere at the Banks's, that got even better as we headed for a victory over the fallen giants. A rare high.

Bristol Rovers at home

Then there was a five goal drubbing to keep our feet on the ground. A not so rare low.

Oh Deeney Deeney!

No prizes for guessing who our most improved player of the season is - step forward Manny Smith!

Seriously though, Troy Deeney is a completely different player under Hutchings.

Restored to the frontline, he notched three out of three in the boss's first week and has gone on to finish with double figures, something that looked impossible in the first half of the season.

I was glad he ended the season with a goal on Saturday - even though I hadn't got through the turnstiles at the time - as he was on a bit of a mini-drought.

With a bit of luck, there should be plenty more to come from Troy.

MK Dons away – Footballing karma

As with the Leeds game, the last away match was an oasis in a sea of mediocrity.

We deservedly won, our fans were brilliant, MK were denied the chance of going up automatically and simultaneously as AFC Wimbledon were clinching promotion.

The Dons were shown up to be the artificial club - with the accompanying plastic fans - that every true football fan knows they really are.

It would probably have been a good thing to have ended our season there and then.

Crowds

Saturday's loss meant that of 26 home games in league and cup, we lost a mere 13 – half, 50 per cent - but call it what you will, it's a truly appalling stat.

We dropped points against all of the bottom three as well.

The crowds are down by an average of over a thousand a match, which is over 25,000 across the season, which is a lot of lost revenue. The matchday atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired and it's hard to tell whether that's what drives the poor home form or vice versa.

If we really were a 'well-run club' then something would be done to break the cycle but, while our board members are too busy patting themselves on the back for not being in administration, then you suspect nothing will change.

Walsall Hospice

Credit where it's due, they do get some things right though.

Next season's kit will promote a worthy local cause, which is a fantastic gesture. It's easy for clubs with sugar daddies to make a show of giving to charidee, harder for the likes of Walsall.

I shall wear my shirt with pride.

Time to go

After an unspectacular draw with Cheltenham at the end of March, all the talk was of the radio report that said Jeff had hinted he was on his way out.

Supposedly there's to be an announcement in the close season, meaning there are a hell of a lot of crossed fingers throughout our fine borough.

Unsurprisingly there's been no mass campaign to persuade him to stay and fans seem to be prepared to accept that while it could be for the better, things could actually get worse.

But either way, in the words of the song, it is time to go.

Same as it ever was

At the weekend we had the predictable and regular 'safe hands' statement that is trotted out with monotonous regularity.

Apparently we won't go into administration - which we all know would hurt one particular individual more than anyone else.

We should be eternally grateful that we're not in Bournemouth or Luton's position. Stockport got a mention too, although a lot of their problems stem from the fact that they don't own their ground.

Funny enough we never get compared to the many lower league clubs who are not in administration, like Scunthorpe or Tranmere, who battled it out for the last play-off spot last weekend.

Funny that.

The worst prospect facing the club is nothing changing. We carry on haemorrhaging support, the rent keeps rising and the head in the sand mentality of failing to recognise the disillusionment of supporters continues.

Roll on 2009/10 - I can't wait!

Have a good summer.