It's the top 40 for the Saddlers boss

Walsall blogger Mark Jones believes reaching the 40-point mark shows just how far the Saddlers have come under the management of Dean Smith.

From a club descending into serious decline just a few short months ago, things are developing really quickly for the Saddlers.

On the pitch we have reached the 40 point mark – something I had previously thought of as unobtainable – and the difference in quality in terms of the kind of football we are now playing is immeasurable.

The last point was highlighted perfectly by the performance at Milton Keynes Dons. On the opening day of the season Chris Hutchings's ill-prepared, weak and imbalanced squad were a poor second best to the Dons.

But, on Friday night, we matched the franchised ones, a top six team on a long winning streak, with some confident and assured football - going forward at least - and to a certain extent we dictated the pace of the game.

Sure they had chances and there were some hairy moments along the way but, unlike the August 2010 version of the Saddlers, we have a genuine leader at the back in Andy Butler and it now takes something like a fluky penalty to beat Super Jimmy Walker in goal.

Everyone in a red shirt knew their job and was fully committed to the cause. It's no coincidence that only five of Friday's starting line up were even at the club at the beginning of the season and two of those - Julian Gray and Matt Richards - are unrecognisable from the players who turned out under Hutchings.

In short, we didn't play like a team in 21st place with 7 games to go, and the turnaround under manager Dean Smith has been remarkable.

I have detected a change in the mood of the fans too. The atmosphere in the away end at Stadium MK was tremendous.

You get the sense that people believe in Smith and his players - to the extent that if the worst does happen then they would still receive our full backing.

As an away fan watching Walsall has become something to, if not 'enjoy' in the conventional sense, then look forward to once again. And we gave the Dons a huge amount of well deserved stick as well.

But, off the pitch, there have been no further public developments regarding the ownership of either the club or the land.

However, both the Supporters Trust and Unity are active, at the moment, in trying to work with the club to create the conditions where the best deal for the club's future can be reached. This is most definitely a positive thing.

The Trust's AGM takes place tomorrow in the Saddlers Club at 7:45pm. And, after the official business, there will be an opportunity to discuss all manner of club-related topics.

We live in very interesting times and it's a pretty good time to get involved.