Boss vows Saddlers will beat the drop

Boss Dean Smith today issued a survival battle cry and insisted resurgent Walsall will beat the drop.

The Saddlers moved three points clear of the League One relegation zone after extending their unbeaten run to six games with Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hartlepool.

It was their 16^th draw of the season – the most in the country – but Smith believes the Saddlers will stay up if they stick to their principles.

"If we keep doing what we're doing at the moment then yes," he said, with the Saddlers 20^th ahead of Exeter. "We've always felt the position we've been in has been a bit unjust after some of the games we've played. We're the draw specialists in the league and haven't turned enough of them into wins.

"But the business end of the season is now and we're starting to do that."

Ten points separate the bottom nine teams with the Saddlers holding a game in hand on all four teams below them but Smith reckons even 14^th placed Preston, on 42 points, are still in the relegation mix.

"I think there's more in there. Leyton Orient are dropping, Preston, Bury – there are a few looking over their shoulders," he said.

"We've just got to keep concentrating on what we do and work as hard as we have done. The work ethic from the players has been fantastic. They were out on their feet in the dressing room which is how they should be after a game."

And Smith is hoping to secure new firepower before Saturday's trip to Yeovil and confirmed the club are speaking to several players.

He added: "We hope something is going to happen this week. We've got two or three we're speaking to but whether they happen or not we'll see."

It was the 10^th time the Saddlers had failed to score in the league this term and Mat Sadler revealed their disappointment.

"They were there for the taking, anyone who watched the game could see that," he said. "We're really disappointed and it was flat in the dressing room. It was a missed opportunity to get three points without a shadow of a doubt."

Meanwhile, the Saddlers have announced they will hold a free open training session on April 2 at the Banks's Stadium after the success of last season's.