Walsall vs Fleetwood: Joe Masi's analysis as Saddlers step closer to promotion

Jon Whitney certainly thinks so and after ruthlessly dispatching Fleetwood, Walsall fans are daring to dream once again.

It's going to take a mammoth effort for the Saddlers to overhaul Burton and clinch that second automatic spot in League One.

But a 2-0 win over Port Vale on Sunday, together with the Brewers losing at Doncaster will see Whitney's men clinch that lucrative runners-up spot.

Whether they do it or not, what is without doubt is that Whitney, his players and the coaching staff deserve huge credit for taking the battle to the final day.

After Nigel Clough's side grabbed a late winner against Gillingham on Saturday, this Fleetwood clash looked a real banana skin.

The Cod Army arrived at the Banks's Stadium determined to claim a point that would see them retain their league status and relegate rivals Blackpool in the process.

But Whitney has drilled into his players the need to treat their final three games of the league season with a cup mentality.

Victory in the 'quarter-final' against Shrewsbury a week ago today paved the way for yesterday's 'semi-final' with Steven Pressley's side.

And with that mindset, the Saddlers started this encounter like a steam train.

Within just two minutes they were ahead with the excellent Jason Demetriou delivering a low cross that Tom Bradshaw deftly swept past Chris Maxwell.

It was a finish Saddlers fans have become used to from their top scorer with the Welshman now just one-goal shy of his 20-goal target for the season.

Sensing blood and in need of goals, Walsall continued piling forward at will.

With full-backs Demetriou and Rico Henry bombing forward at every opportunity and Romaine Sawyers pulling the strings, Fleetwood had no answers.

Wave after wave of attack saw Demetriou and Bradshaw go close before Paul Downing extended the lead in the 18th minute when he escaped the attentions of his marker to prod home a fine Anthony Forde corner.

Once again Whitney had, quite rightly, shown his intent to go on the offensive by naming an incredibly attacking starting XI.

The Saddlers may have lined up in what is a 4-1-4-1 formation against Shrewsbury and the Cod Army but with Milan Lalkovic, Kieron Morris, Forde and Sawyers in the midfield four, the team is packed with dynamism and creativity.

And it's the decision to move winger Morris into central midfield that has proven the real masterstroke over the past seven days.

One again the 21-year-old was excellent and impressed with his passing ability as well as his trademark direct running.

With Forde's workrate and Lalkovic's tricks it meant Fleetwood had to withstand an onslaught in the opening half hour.

Slowly but surely they settled into the game with Amari'i Bell testing Neil Etheridge from distance and James Ryan hitting a smart half-volley wide.

But while a deflected Forde free-kick was the closest the Saddlers came to extending their lead before the break, Whitney's men walked off at the interval having dominated proceedings.

Fleetwood were never going to allow the Saddlers to enjoy the same levels of control after the re-start.

Antoni Sarcevic could have brought his side back into the game in the first few minutes but headed straight at Etheridge following David Ball's cross.

But while the visitors were now seeing more of the ball, it was Walsall who continued to look the more threatening with Bradshaw powerfully heading wide from another excellent Forde corner.

Consolation

Soon it was 3-0 with Sawyers adding yet another spectacular goal to his collection.

But then came the only down point of the afternoon with substitute Devante Cole's late consolation turning a perfect day into just a very good one.

Had the son of former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole not scored, Walsall would have entered the game against Port Vale knowing a win together with a defeat for Burton would clinch second spot.

Instead, the Saddlers now have to also secure a three-goal swing with it likely they will have to beat Rob Page's side by at least two goals.

Whether Walsall have one fixture left or four, this game showed yet again the Saddlers are capable of hitting top gear when the pressure is on.

And if Burton do clinch it, Whitney has managed to install the cup ethos of knock-out football into hit team two weeks ahead of anyone else.

Ever since his appointment as interim boss, Whitney has always said the race will go right to wire. And the reality is that both Walsall and Burton deserve to be in the Championship next season.

But with only one automatic place left, it could come down to who handles the pressure best on the day. And for that reason, Walsall fans can still dare to dream.

Walsall: Etheridge, Demetriou, O'Connor, Downing, Henry, Chambers, Forde, Morris (Mantom 64), Lalkovic (Hiwula 72), Sawyers (Cook 86), Bradshaw. Subs not used: MacGillivray, Taylor, Preston, Kinsella.

Fleetwood: Maxwell, McLaughlin, Jordan (Nilsson 48), Pond, Bell, Jónsson (Cole 59), Ryan (Nirennold 62), Sarcevic, Scougall, Haughton, Ball. Subs not used: Ameobi, Grant, Hunter, Gogic.

Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 6,628.