Jon Whitney's rallying call for Saddlers

Jon Whitney today moved to mobilise Walsall's rallying fans and urged them to crank up the heat on the Saddlers' drop rivals.

The Saddlers assistant – and the Express & Star's new columnist – reckons the Banks's Stadium faithful can push the club across the line.

They host League One big-boys Southampton on Tuesday in the next stage of their Houdini act knowing the Great Escape is on.

Supporters have got behind boss Dean Smith with group Unity running coaches for next weekend's crunch trip to Swindon.

And Whitney, who was in a similar situation at Hull as a player, insisted they need everything the fans can give.

He said: ""We're not taking any prisoners. The crowd are getting behind us now so it's becoming a little bit of a fortress.

"When we had the Great Escape at Hull it was the same. The crowd need to believe how much of an influence they can have. It's a massive fact and they can be the 12th man. They need to

keep rallying – no negativity – and keep pushing us. There are going to be times when we're up against it and we're not playing attractive football – and we'd all like to – but they have to stay with us. We need them to be patient with us.

"They are looking forward to the games and teams know now, when they come to our place, they have to be on the top of their game. They need to be willing to fight tooth and nail and if they don't they'll come unstuck."