Peterlin eyes eight wins to earn survival

The midfielder – relegated with Plymouth last term – reckons the Saddlers must cash in on a hectic eight-game spell in March to survive.

Peterlin was at Home Park when the financially crippled Pilgrims were docked 10 points after administration to plummet into League Two last term.

Had they not Walsall would have gone down, rather than stay up by a point on the final day.

And, with the Saddlers out of the League One drop zone on goal difference, Peterlin outlined another survival plan.

"We've talked about it and we need seven or eight wins out of the next few. We definitely have some sights on what we need to do," said the 24-year-old.

"It's horrible to get relegated and I know we're in a battle now. Every point counts, wherever you get it, and if you keep winning you don't have to worry about anyone else.

"If we could get over 15 points (from the next eight games) that would be good. It would be good to get a run of two or three games and keeping the unbeaten run would be huge.

"If you do slump a bit you have to keep working for the fans and for yourself.

"There are a lot of teams still in it. You can look up the table and it's up to 39 points. If Preston have a losing run they could get pulled into it."

Saturday's 0-0 draw at Preston extended the Saddlers' unbeaten run to three games after a trio of clean sheets.

They are locked on 31 points with Scunthorpe, who occupy the final relegation slot, and American Peterlin insisted the players have re-focused since a summit meeting earlier this month.

He said: "Everyone has taken personal responsibility and the gaffer has asked 'how do we want to be remembered as players?' We all had a deep look inside and relegation is the last thing we want. Personally you want to leave a mark to the game.

"Sometimes it's just a tipping point where just a little bit more is needed. I wish we'd played like this for the rest of the season as we wouldn't be in this position. I'm glad we're picking up finally."