Smith tips Saddlers to cope with backlog

Boss Dean Smith today insisted his Walsall players are ready for their mid-winter fixture onslaught.

The Saddlers face a taxing spell of eight games in 28 days, starting with tomorrow's visit of Colchester – if the game is on. Match referee Rob Lewis was due to inspect the pitch at noon.

Milder overnight temperatures mean the surface is the best it has looked all week.

Groundstaff were busy treating the pitch earlier today, but the bottom third nearest the away end still has a layer of frost on top.

"There are a lot of games coming up in a short space of time and plenty of points to play for," said Smith.

"Including reserve games, we have something like 10 matches coming up over the next 30 days or so.

"This will give the players plenty of pitch time but they're ready for it and, I have to say, their mentality has been fantastic.

"Things are still extremely tight and one win can make a big difference."

Smith, meanwhile, will be hoping for revenge tomorrow after losing the last two games away to Colchester in controversial circumstances.

Walsall lost 1-0 in Essex in September after Andy Butler was harshly sent off for conceding the match-winning penalty scored by Anthony Wordsworth.

That was the second successive debatable spot-kick Colchester won against Walsall on home turf, after another in a 2-0 success last season.

"I've had two tight games against them at their place over the last 12 months and on each occasion they have come out controversial winners," said Smith.