Andy Butler's new year message for Walsall FC fans

Andy Butler today issued a new year rallying cry and urged Walsall fans to stick with the Saddlers.

The captain urged the home faithful to back the team in 2013 after much of 2012 was spent at the bottom end of League One.

The Saddlers had won back-to-back games before their 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday and sit 16th. They host Portsmouth in Friday's televised clash and Butler is keen to pack the Banks's Stadium.

"We don't want people to come and moan, we need them to support us," said the defender, who was primed to face Stevenage today. "I know they have their right to express their opinion because they pay for the tickets but what the lads really need is encouragement.

"It makes a difference to players. If you try something and it goes wrong but the crowd encourage you you'll try it again and it might come off. That's all we ask as players, stick with us."