Jamie Paterson: Walsall are improving

Jamie Paterson today insisted Walsall have come on "leaps and bounds" in Dean Smith's year in charge.

The Saddlers boss celebrates his first anniversary on Wednesday after a turbulent 12 months in which the side escaped the League One drop by a point last term.

They have struggled to make an impact this season despite a revamped team but Paterson said the club have improved under Smith.

"We've come on leaps and bounds since last season," said the 20-year-old attacker, with the Saddlers 18th before today's clash with Rochdale and Monday's trip to Bury.

"This time last year we were bottom and quite a few points adrift of everyone else. We don't deserve to be down where we are now."