Dean Smith rejects Walsall's drop fears

Boss Dean Smith today rejected Walsall's drop fears – despite history conspiring against his men.

The relegation-haunted Saddlers have one point fewer than they did this time last term under ex-manager Chris Hutchings. They host runaway leaders Charlton tomorrow bidding to escape the League One danger zone and reel in 20th-placed Rochdale, who are a point ahead.

Smith kept the Saddlers up by a point on the final day of last season and insisted he will ignore history.

"The way I look at it is this is a new season," said the boss, with Walsall on 16 points from 19 games. "Last year we probably didn't have anyone below us but now we have three people behind us. What we've got to do is start winning games.

"The league is tighter this year, there's more of a split, and the bigger teams will start winning games and the smaller teams will be in the bottom half.

"At the start of the season you expected Huddersfield, Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and United to be up there. Preston have fallen away a bit but most haven't disappointed and for the others it's a scrap.

"Hartlepool had a fantastic start but Mick (Wadsworth) has lost his job, Yeovil have been a bottom- eight team in the last few years and it's a battle. Every club I speak to have the same battle as us.

"But you want to be the one who surprises everyone. We want to emulate what Leyton Orient did last season when they went on a long unbeaten run."

The Saddlers have won just twice in 18 games in all competitions but did the double over Charlton, who are seven points clear at the top of League One, last season. A 2-0 home win in April effectively sealed survival but Smith warned Walsall against dining out on past achievements.

He said: "Charlton may have been seeing the season out at that stage but they are a totally different team now. Chris Powell has done fantastically well and there won't be a more confident team coming to the Banks's – unless we get Manchester City in the FA Cup."

* The Walsall Supporters' Trust are holding a toy appeal for Walsall Manor Hospital at tomorrow's game. The Trust will collect new toys for children who won't be home for Christmas and there will also be donation buckets.