The highs and lows of Mat Sadler's reign as Walsall boss hits 150 games

In doing so, Sadler becomes only the 14th Walsall boss in history to achieve such a feat and the first since Dean Smith in October 2013.

Walsall return to league action after successive cup upsets in the last week - 5-1 at Norwich City in the FA Cup and 4-2 at Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy. 

63 hours after the latter, Walsall face Tranmere Rovers looking to return to winning ways after back-to-back league defeats against Cambridge United and Oldham Athletic respectively. 

40-year-old Sadler has collected 65 wins, 38 draws and 46 defeats from his 149 games so far with a win rate of 42.62 per cent.

There have been numerous highs and lows during his two-and-a-half year reign. Here are most memorable, and less memorable moments of his tenure so far. 

Bottom of the barrel at Barrow

A real tongue twister of a subheading, yes, and Sadler was also at a loss for words when his side suffered a 2-0 defeat at Barrow in late November 2023. 

It had been a really depressing night which only compounded a difficult period for the managerial novice in the dugout. 

Walsall extended their winless run to six games in League Two and were left languishing in 19th-place. 

Some had already begun to turn the screw and co-chairman Ben Boycott even jetted over from the US to address the situation. 

"Results must improve" was his simple message and fortunately they did. Oisin McEntee delivered a second half double to propel Walsall to a 2-1 comeback win at Notts County 10 days later. 

It was the lift-off moment Sadler needed after a challenging start. 

New Year's Day delight at Grimsby 

2024 started with fireworks of the most incredible kind when Walsall hit Grimsby Town for six at Blundell Park.

It was the first time the Saddlers had scored six on the road in a league game since 1948 and extended their excellent run to five wins in six games in League Two, and six in seven across all competitions.