Hutchings' back-to-back challenge

The Saddlers are aiming for their second home win in four days against Carlisle, after Tuesday's late show in the 2-1 victory against Huddersfield.

They sit 11th in League One but know, if results go their way, they could end up in the play-off positions by 5pm tomorrow.

Last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Hartlepool was forgotten with the performance on Tuesday, setting the Saddlers up for a potentially super Saturday.

But Norwich, Swindon, Oldham, Brentford and Huddersfield would all have to slip up for the Saddlers to edge into sixth place.

Hutchings knows – because the pack is bunched up – another three-point haul would be vital.

He said: "Back-to-back wins and six points would be massive. The table is condensed and, if you get six points in a week, then you can go up four or five places.

"It would be nice to have an unbeaten run, but you need points on the board and consistency is winning all the time. They bounced back with a bang on Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether they can do it again. That's the test.

"It's another game tomorrow against a team who are below us in the league, so the onus is on us to get the three points."

But Hutchings insists, if luck deserts the Saddlers on Saturday, he doesn't want them to force the play.

He said: "You have to be patient. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn't. Fortunately for us it fell to Dwayne Mattis on Tuesday and he scored a late goal, but other times it hasn't fallen for us.

"There's a very fine margin between success and failure - if you can't get three points then you have to try and get one."

Tthe Saddlers chief admitted he cannot enjoy the game during the 90 minutes.

He said: "I don't think you can ever relax in a game. Try sitting on the sidelines. You are kicking every ball in every position. Everyone connected with the club does and, if you don't, then you're heart isn't in the right place."

Manny Smith has shaken off a knee injury and trained today, while Peter Till has also recovered from his hamstring problem. But Richard Taundry and Stephen Roberts are still struggling for fitness with hamstring and back complaints.

Hutchings said: "We should have Manny Smith back with us and Peter Till. Taundry will be another week and Roberts is still a bit away, but it's nice to have two of the lads back. Stephen has got a little bit of a cyst and they're trying to break things down."

Carlisle, 18th in League One, claimed an impressive 1-1 draw at leaders Leeds on Tuesday and Hutchings knows they will be a tough nut to crack.

He said: "We've always gone about our job in the same way and treat the opposition with the utmost respect.

"Carlisle are coming off the back of a very good draw at Leeds and will be full of confidence, but so will we. It's a game we're looking forward to. It's a great catchment area, it's a long way to go, but if they are successful then they get decent gates.

"Greg Abbott has done a good job since taking over, because it's very difficult and it's one we've got to get the points out of."

United boss Abbott expects the Saddlers to be a different proposition than Leeds, but will be treating them exactly the same as the league leaders.

He said: "Walsall pass it a bit more than Leeds and try to pass through you. At Walsall you know you will get a team who are very well-organised, tough, honest and on a tight pitch they don't give you time to play.

"We have to give them the same respect and planning we gave Leeds. I assure you that will be the case."