Jimmy Walker: Walsall to stay up

Jimmy Walker today drew Walsall's survival battle lines – after breaking the club's appearance record.

The keeper made his 530^th Saddlers' outing in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Brentford which kept them out of the League One drop zone on goal difference.

They are level on points with fourth bottom Yeovil and sixth bottom Scunthorpe and Walker insisted he doesn't want his achievement tarnished by relegation.

He said: "It is a bit too close for comfort but it's a hard league. You've got to battle for every point and take every minute on board. Every point is precious, we're digging in and we'll be alright.

"We've threatened a few times. We've won one and gone on and thought 'this is the start of the season' but it's not quite happened. We've had one step forward and two back sometimes. But we know we're close and if we keep working as hard as we can we'll pull away.

"We knew what we had to do but as nice as the occasion was for me as soon as the whistle goes you want to do your best and win the game."

The 38-year-old kept out Marcus Bean and Clayton Donaldson in a low-key outing to mark his milestone.

But he admitted he revelled in the record after his team-mates held a t-shirt tribute in the warm-up.

"I hadn't got a clue, the lads are that tight I didn't think they were going to do anything," he joked. "Everyone had one on though, the gaffer and Bill (Jones) too. It was good banter and I've nicked a couple.

"I'm honoured and privileged to have the record. I've had some lovely messages, especially now I'm involved in this Twitter business. I don't know what I'm doing on it but thanks to everyone.

"I wouldn't even know about the record if I wasn't on Twitter. I caned it at the start of the season and said to the lads 'I can't believe you're on it, it's disgraceful' but now I'm on it. I've not got a clue what I'm doing but I love it.

"The fans made a long journey and it means a lot. I've also heard a few mentions of a statue – like (Thierry) Henry at the Emirates. I can't see it though, it's not got the same look to it has it?"