Matt Maher: Mat Sadler's Walsall journey a cruel reminder of football's fine margins
Mat Sadler is destined to be remembered as one of Walsall’s greatest nearly men.
Just over a year ago, you’d have been prepared to wager a fair chunk of money he would be the head coach to lead the Saddlers back to League One.
Last May, he was moments away from doing just that before an Antoni Sarcevic goal for Bradford in the final seconds of the race for automatic promotion put the seal on one of the most remarkable collapses in football history.
Just to add further pain, Sadler successfully rallied his team for the play-offs, only to suffer the heartbreak of a Wembley defeat in the final.
Two golden chances to etch his name into club folklore, both missed. This season, which saw the Saddlers once again at the top of League Two until Christmas, may count as a third.
Sadler’s sacking this week, with his team having fallen off the pace, is one with which he can have few real complaints.
There are always mitigating circumstances and the Saddlers’ January transfer dealings are worthy of scrutiny, for the second year running.
But a return of just 10 points from the last 14 league matches is the type to leave any head coach vulnerable. Just as last year, Sadler has proven incapable of halting a slide. In truth, the decision to part ways felt one which should have been made weeks ago.
At the same time, it is hard not to feel a huge amount of sympathy for a man who came so very, very close to promotion and who got so much right during his near three years at the helm.
