Dreaming of some fantasy football

Now that the Saddlers have secured their place in League One for 2012/13 with one whole game to go, just imagine if this was the conversation going on with Dean Smith right now . . . writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.

'OK we'll talk to Ledesma and his agent, he's obviously got some affinity for the club but there are others already sniffing around. What we'll do is make him an offer that'll match the bigger sides, it'll be worth doing in the long run for the message it sends out to other clubs, prospective signings and most importantly our own supporters. And of course he's a mighty fine player.

As for Cuvelier and Mantom, we know they've got big futures in the game and it's probably the wrong time of year to sort out season-long loans, but get on to Tony Pulis and Roy Hodgson (better be quick now), register your interest and see if you can get first refusal for 2012/13.

If that comes to nothing then obviously you need to look out for some Flo and Sam-type footballers, young players who can put their foot on the ball and pass the thing, because they've made such an impact on the way we play.

We know we probably need a bit more experience up front and you'll want to decide who to retain and who to offer improved deals to, so go ahead and sort it.

Also there's your backroom staff, you'll want to sort out a permanent replacement for Richard O'Kelly, so let us know and we'll try and make it happen.

And of course time is of the essence, the sooner everything's in place the better. It's about time Walsall made an impact at this level and we want to be right behind you.'

'Err … right … ok … but isn't that a bit of a change of direction?'

'Well yes, but the club won't move forward with more of the same, we've scratched around at the bottom of this league for far too long, the fans need something to believe in and we need some continuity at the start of a season instead of trawling the bargain basement come July. Don't get us wrong, this isn't a charter to spend stupid money just a bit of forward-thinking ambition.'

'Well … err …if you think so …'

'Damn right we do, the fans who have stuck by us over the years have put their money in so we're going to do the same. We've converted those loans, the bloke in charge of the commercial side of things will have to work hard to make sure that big advertising board is filled all year round and we've finally come to realise that the rent has been oppressive for far too long.

Anyway if the club has some degree of success on the pitch then it follows that there should be some positive impact on the finances. We are a football club first and foremost after all and that's what really counts.

Just do it Dean, do it … do it … do it!'

OK at this point I start to imagine the Walsall F.C. Board of Directors turning into huge green alien monsters who devour Deano in a Dr. Who/Sci-Fi style-ee before unleashing a reign of terror upon an unsuspecting world. Possibly because it's late at night, possibly because I took something shouldn't have done earlier or possibly because that's a more realistic outcome than anything I've described above.

Well we can all dream.