Dean Smith has sympathy for drop rivals Plymouth

Walsall boss Dean Smith today admitted he has sympathy for drop rivals Plymouth — but insisted 'rules are rules'.

The Saddlers cashed in on the Pilgrims being deducted 10 points this week for issuing a notice of intention and calling in the administrators.

Argyle plunged to the foot of League One and moved Walsall up to fourth bottom, a point off safety, ahead of Saturday's visit of Rochdale.

It left Plymouth odds-on to be relegated but Smith said they knew what was at stake.

He said: "It's tough on fans but, at the end of the day, the rules are there and everyone knows them before they go into it.

"I know they haven't entered administration yet but they have issued a notice of intention and have been duly deducted the points, which is within the rules of the game.

"You feel for the players and supporters but it's a business and they all know the rules and regulations for it and how it's meant to be run.

"We've climbed up a place in League One, it's not how we'd like to, but rules are rules."

Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Dagenham and the Saddlers all moved up to give them renewed hope of beating the drop.

But Smith insisted it doesn't change Walsall's situation as they are still in the relegation zone and must keep their heads in the coming weeks.

"It's the same really, all it's done is moved everyone up a place," he said.

"With their defeat at Brighton on Tuesday, which was probably expected in many quarters, Plymouth are in deep trouble and have got a mountain to climb to get out of that.

"What it does is leave us with one less body to climb over so that's all we can do.

"We'll concentrate on ourselves and it's up to us to make sure we get out of trouble this season. It's about what we do."