Dreaming of a massive Saddlers Christmas

It's (nearly) Xmas so I thought it might be worth panic … err analysing the up-coming fixtures for the Saddlers, writes blogger Mark Jones.

Charlton home

So much has happened that it seems longer but it was just 12 months ago this weekend that we somehow won at the Valley to extend the Hutchings era/error that agonising bit longer.

It also seems a long time since that sunny day in April when Jordan Cook raced down the left, put in a tantalising cross for Jon Macken to hit first time forcing a decent save only for Julian Gray to wave him away and put in the rebound to secure the points in the return; easily one of the highlights of last season. A mossive result.

Both teams will be vastly different from the ones that played 8 months ago. Chris Powell is doing a fantastic job and the Addicks are in danger of disappearing from view at the top of the table, while we just seem to be stuck in a bit of a rut.

I've been told that I'm too negative at times but I honestly think anything less than a 4 goal thrashing on Saturday will be a decent result. Sorry.

Dagenham & Redbridge home

Much like ITV, I've tried to pay as little attention as possible to the F.A. Cup so far. I mean I've been to the games and I think I'd quite enjoy the third Round but I'm not daring to think about yet.

The one positive to come out of last week's dreadful performance in the capital was that we're still in the competition. We have a home match against the team sitting 23rd in League 2 standing in the way of our progress, this is Walsall what could possibly go wrong?

Chesterfield away

Our first trip to Chesterfield's new stadium is also probably the first game of this season that can be classed as a 6-pointer, therefore making it mossive.

We had a bit of history with the Crooked ones back in the mid-90s when their particular brand of anti-football clashed with the style of the Wilson, O'Connor et al.

Never mind the style, right now I'd take a win at any cost.

Sheff Wed home

I always look forward to Boxing Day fixtures, this year should see a big away following, (hopefully) more home fans, a better than usual atmosphere and me dad trying to smuggle in his hipflask, so it should be an enjoyable day.

Well enjoyable up to a point. Somehow I can't imagine Gary Megson's side being anything other than functional and hard to beat. As we've struggled to beat times who aren't that hard to beat so far this season, offer me a point right now and I'll take it and stash it somewhere 'til next May.

Rochdale home

The New Year's Eve game kicks off at 1pm just like it did the last time we played on December 31. That day we beat Blackpool with two James Constable goals, the last league win of the Merson era, to climb into the top half of the table.

As this fixture can also be labelled as a mossive 6-pointer then I'd take a repeat of the 2005 scoreline, if not the outcome of that particular season. Alternatively I'd take a 2-0 defeat if the next six years turn out like the last six have for Blackpool.

We can always dream

Bury away

Painful as it is to admit, Bury were highly impressive when they stuffed us last month. However we have to go to Gigg Lane thinking we can get a result. Last New Year we got outclassed by Notts County but still picked up a mossive point in the return a few weeks later. It can be done, it needs to be done.

Bournemouth/Millwall home

Whatever happens between now and then, whoever we're playing, whether the ground is buzzing or not, it's fair to say that a home win on January 7 would be very welcome.

So, weather permitting, the Saddlers will play 7 games in the next month. We can't really afford to lose more than two and by my reckoning we need to win at least three of them. They might not be crackers but they could give us a bit of spirit going into 2012.

Cheers.