Chris Hutchings feels safe at Walsall

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings today insisted he still has the full backing of chairman Jeff Bonser.

The Saddlers face a make-or-break visit of Exeter on Saturday after seven winless games plunged them to the bottom of League One.

Hutchings is under mounting pressure following a disastrous start to the season, but signed winger Martin Devaney on loan from Barnsley today after snapping up defender Andrew Davies from Stoke for a month yesterday.

And the manager believes he still has the support of Bonser.

He said: "Jeff asked me 'what can we do?' and I said 'we need players' and he's allowed us to bring players in.

"You can't ask for any more than that but we've got to make sure we get the points on Saturday.

"I speak to the chairman daily, he's OK, he's fine and has given us money to spend to get players in on loan.

"We know what the start has been like. We've come so close during the run and if we had five or six more points on the board we'd still be disappointed.

"To have none is very disappointing and it's something we have talked about, we understand where we are and the staff and I are working tirelessly to try to turn it around."

But Hutchings knows the Saddlers must win against in-form Exeter, who are joint fourth in League One, if they are to kick-start their campaign and restore some battered pride.

He said: "We all want it to be instant. Sometimes it doesn't happen but we have to make sure we get results.

"We have lost games and we're concerned about that, but three points will do wonders for the confidence."

Hutchings could recall Steve Jones to the squad, after the winger returned to training following six weeks out with an ankle injury.

Captain Darren Byfield (knee) has also started running again but remains doubtful while Richard Taundry (knee) is still two weeks from fitness despite being given the all-clear by a specialist yesterday.

Hutchings said: "Hopefully Steve could be in the squad if he comes through the next couple of days.

"There could even be a possibly of Darren being involved but if it comes too early so be it."