Walsall striker Will Grigg admits Saddlers flops face the chop

Walsall striker Will Grigg today admitted the Saddlers' flops will face the chop if they end the festive season looking like Christmas turkeys.

The forward reckons they are fighting for their futures after two wins in 20 games have left the season in tatters.

Grigg has been axed for the last two games and even failed to make the squad for the 1-1 draw with Charlton.

And, ahead of tomorrow's trip to League One bottom side Chesterfield, the Northern Ireland under-21 international admitted they must perform over the festive spell.

He said: "The gaffer has set us targets and if we don't meet them then players will be brought in. Words have been said, so we know that.

"It does put the pressure on us a bit but we're capable of it. They are not unrealistic targets and the lads agree we've got to work towards them.

"The Christmas period is always big because you can pick up a lot of points going into the new year and give yourself a good chance.

"Chesterfield and Rochdale are big games but I don't think they are any more so than the Charlton game or Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.

"All the players want to play for the gaffer and that's what we're going do to."

Andy Halliday also insisted Walsall can't afford any more slip-ups – or face getting cut adrift in the battle against the drop.

The on-loan Middlesbrough winger admitted they must ensure Scunthorpe, a point and a place ahead, do not escape.

The 20-year-old winger said: "You don't want to see a gap opening up which is why it's important to go on a winning run. We need to keep the points ticking over.

"It's a hard league and it's the same as the Championship. Middlesbrough have been going on the road and beating teams second and third in the league but then dropping points to the so-called smaller clubs.

"That's the way that league is and this seems to be the same."