Walsall 0 Gillingham 0 - Analysis

The 3,331 hardy souls watched two turgid sides in a game which would have been an insomniacs dream. The attendance wasn't helped by only a smattering of Gillingham fans who made the long trip from Kent but that hardly excused the turnout from the locals.

It was the lowest in League One at the weekend, a sign the natives are growing ever restless It's indicative of a club who are treading water. Waiting for a new era to dawn. Waiting and hoping.

It might be in six months or six years and fans may be disillusioned with the current ownership, but it will quickly have a knock on affect on the pitch.

In the pre-match build up, Steve Jones called for the backing of the supporters but they barely responded. They will argue they need something to shout about, while the players demand unwavering support to keep them going.

Walsall's record at the Banks's now reads 17 wins from 49 games. That is over two a bit seasons and different players, different teams, have appeared for the Saddlers.

Perhaps there is an inherent nervousness in front of a Banks's crowd, worried a mistake will turn the fans.

They must not be afraid. If they are brave, assert themselves and force the play mistakes will occasionally creep in but they cannot worry about slipping up.

Should they be generating more support? The decibel levels on Saturday barely reached that of a doormouse. It's a vicious circle. But the fact remains the hosts did little to warrant three points on Saturday.

They need a jump start after one win in their opening five games of the campaign and scoring once from open play – Andrew Whing's own goal at Brighton.

Gillingham arrived on the back of four straight defeats, low on confidence and there for the taking.

In today's game, home bankers are almost a thing of the past but Saturday was one of those rare occasions which should come under the 'win' column. It didn't and the blame can only lie with the Saddlers.

Boss Chris Hutchings was honest enough to admit they need to look at where they are going wrong and tomorrow's Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round against Bury is the ideal game to restore confidence.

Lose and alarm bells, although faintly, would start to ring. Lower league opposition represent a winning chance ahead of two tough away trips to a resurgent Norwich on Saturday and a Tranmere side already desperate for points seven days later.

But, as for the weekend, the visitors arrived on the back of four defeats and were short of cutting edge which made the result all the more disappointing.

If Walsall are to achieve anything this season, they must take these games by the scruff of the neck and intimidate the opposition. Force the tempo, dictate the play and be brave. Take the initiative and the points will come.

Chances were at a premium, creativity was non-existent. It is easy to blame the strikers for the goalscoring issues but when there is no service there is little they can do.

Darren Byfield's arrival adds to the options but he won't be match sharp for a couple of weeks and Alex Nicholls must be wondering what he has to do to get a game.

Such was the lack of attacking impetus the reaction which met the final whistle was one of indifference, as most fans' minds had wandered onto what to have for tea.

But at least the sponsors were alert enough to award the excellent Manny Smith with the man-of-the-match champagne.

It was another imperious display from the centre-back and one of the few positives to come from the afternoon.

Stephen Roberts' first League appearance since December was another huge step in his recovery and Darryl Westlake continues to look every inch a senior player.

Dwayne Mattis had his best game of the season after being awarded the captaincy in the absence of the injured Mark Hughes and Rhys Weston's continued bench time.

While the previous performance at Charlton was disappointing, this was arguably worse. With home advantage against a side on a four game losing streak three points are a must – but never did the Saddlers look like claiming the maximum haul.

Four minutes in Mark McCammon had netted, only to be penalised for a handball. That, sadly, was as good as it got.

Jackson and Curtis Weston were off target with other efforts while McCammon headed straight at Ince on the half hour.

Too their credit the Saddlers were keeping the ball on the deck but doing little with it. The tempo barely rose as the hosts were content to remain at a pedestrian pace.

Gillingham easily batted away any half hearted attacks although, as the Saddlers moved with the speed of a sloth, it wasn't difficult. Steve Jones, who improved after the break, struggled to find his rhythm and thus the strikers were rendered impotent.

Jones is the Saddlers' best offensive outlet and, when he doesn't shine, it is already evident they struggle. The former Burnley winger had the Saddlers' only shot on target after his tame effort dropped straight to Simon Royce.

That was in the 40th minute – it had taken the hosts almost an entire half to threaten their opponent's goal – a sign of the afternoon's malaise.

The second half brought a chance for redemption, but neither side felt like making the difference. The Saddlers at least mustered a bit of energy through Jones but elsewhere there was nothing.

Late on Jackson wriggled free and fired straight at Ince while Sam Parkin's effort went wide. In the dying stages, Smith produced an excellent tackle to halt the flying Andy Barcham before everyone was put out of their misery.

By Nick Mashiter