Saddlers Social: Walsall fans give their latest views from the Banks's

Sam Hayward

With what feels like an eternity passing without a game due to another dismal show in the FA Cup, it's probably a good time to think about something good to come from the Saddlers recently. Stefan Gamble's appointment to the board of directors of the English Football League is testament to the fantastic work he has put in at Walsall since joining as CEO six years ago. Nobody can deny the strides the club has made to bridge the once vast gap between fans and the board and Stefan, along with Dan Mole and Dale Moon have been at the forefront of this. Throughout all the frustrations this season may bring as we nurse the hangover of last term, it's worth noting we support a very well run club that is probably envied by more than we realise.

Nick Etheridge

As a new father, I obviously want my daughter to take an interest in our great club, but how deep do I let her get in? For 18 years it's been full of ups and downs. Take the last couple of weeks for example. A hammering at Rochdale followed up by a bore draw (but a decent point) at home to Southend, then a win against much fancied Sheffield United, where we clearly got away with one. Do I want to put her through all this? The club have put me through some of the best and worst moments of my life. It's hard. The alternative is to go with the rest of the family and follow that orange rabble from down the road! There's no contest then, she's securing that seatbelt bar and getting on the rollercoaster!

Tom Miner

As I stare at my advent calendar trying not to eat all the chocolates, not only does it remind me of the countdown to Christmas, but also to the equally as exciting January transfer window. This usually brings back haunting memories of quick fire sales, but with cash in the bank, Jon Whitney will be busy assessing his options in both directions. His main decisions regard our loanees, and we've seen a mixed bag. Scott Laird and Jason McCarthy should be no brainers while Kevin Toner is no better than Matt Preston and should be shown the door. Josh Ginnelly and George Dobson have both shown promise but not frequently enough, and Whitney will have to decide over the next month if he can find upgrades to fire us up the table.

Richard Kendrick

It's always strange having a week without a game. It seems so long since the Sheffield United match that I've almost forgotten that we won…Wait, did we actually win at Bramall Lane in the league? It was a real backs-to- the-wall performance and yes, we could have lost by two or three, but let's give credit where credit's due. Maybe it is papering over the cracks a little, but it shows what we are capable of and a few more results like that will do us very nicely! I love the way the Sheffield fans on social media are disgusted that they could possibly lose to a club like ours. Face facts, you're a League One club- how many years have you been at this level now? A few more results like that and you'll be spending another season with the lowly likes of us.

Dan Gilbert

A week is a long time in football... From getting embarrassed by Rochdale 4-0, to a shock 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. I'm not going to get carried away just yet though, we definitely rode our luck and on another day that could have been another crushing defeat. But credit where it's due, Jon Whitney finally listened to us wannabe managers in the stands, and Amadou Bakayoko got a rare start and once again the young forward took his chance, he simply has to start against Fleetwood now, talent wins games. Failure to pick up points against Fleetwood, with or without Baka in the side, and the pressure will be right back on Whitney and his boys though and I think it's vital that we get something as we certainly haven't got the easiest of Christmas periods.

Nathan Briant

A few weeks ago, I went to the National Football Museum in Manchester. On its second floor stands the infamous Michael Jackson statue which Mohamed Al-Fayed had installed at Craven Cottage in 2011.

And with Helen Marten being announced as this year's Turner Prize winner with what judges said were 'poetic, pictorial puzzles', it made me think what the Walsall FC equivalent would be. Maybe we could have some art installed in the away stand, next to the big screen.

If I were to be cruel and remember just how much better last season was to this, the gold buttocks statue by Anthea Hamilton also nominated this year could be used to reflect my opinion of 2016/17. That said, it could represent a few other things: a couple of the signings in the summer, the leaky defence, playing two defensive midfielders at home.

I suppose if it came to it, the board could commission a giant statue of Pete Waterman in recognition of his sterling support of the club coupled with stellar music production completed over 30 years ago.

Kevin Paddock

I spent the past few days in Italy and sampled Chievo v Genoa. One shot on target despite many efforts on goal - was just like watching Walsall recently. However you only need one chance to win a game and we did that with a smash and grab win at Sheffield United. No one expected us to win but we showed fight and organisation which we have lacked so much this season. We now travel to Fleetwood with a bit of confidence and only three points off the play offs - who would have thought it? Not bad approaching turn of year given the mess during the summer.