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

Pete Green

A point against Bradford was one of the more encouraging displays of the season so far. With a solid looking spine, a good blend of youth and experience and some individual creativity, we have all the necessary ingredients to be a strong League One outfit.

The welcome return of both Isaiah Osborne and Flo Cuvelier provided us with some much needed bite that we have lacked over recent weeks and the "two up top" that fans have been crying out for, does show signs of bearing fruit. One real positive from the game, was how well we coped with the physicality of a typical Bradford side, something we have previously struggled to deal with.

The question remains whether we can build on this good performance and maintain more of a consistent, settled team through the busy Christmas period and into the New Year. If a number of our key players can remain fit, as well as some potential reinforcements in January, a comfortable mid table finish would probably be a fair reflection on where we currently are as a club.

Sam Hayward

After an improvement in the second half against Bradford City on Saturday, is 4-4-2 - or as it seemed we set out - 4-2-2-2 the way forward for the Saddlers? Personally, I'm not sure given the pressure on our full backs due to the narrow midfield, but if it is I think the big question is where does Erhun Oztumer fit into it?

Jon Whitney is reluctant to play the the former Peterborough man in a midfield four. But a diamond just to accommodate him would surely leave us over exposed in the centre of the park. Is this a case of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts or simply another suck it and see formation?

Maybe this will give the team a chance to shake off the over-reliance on Oz and give other players a chance to shine, but you can't see our top scoring, most creative player being out of the team for too long.

Dan Gilbert

Credit where it's due, I thought our display in the second half against Bradford was much better. It was not perfect, but it was better. And I've always said as long as there are improvements and we learn from mistakes then there's no issue for me.

What we have to do next is build on it because, as of yet, that's not something we've been able to do! It was great to see Isaiah Osbourne back out there too and he should certainly be starting more games, as long as the injuries stay out of the way. Onto a negative, for me Simeon Jackson shouldn't be starting. He hasn't done a lot since September. And for me it's time to give Andreas Makris a run in the side.

Richard Kendrick

This season has left me so apathetic that I can't even be bothered to boycott properly. I went to the Checkatrade game against Oldham.

I know, I've let myself and the rest of the stay-away fans down. My Dad and I left the Tile Choice Middle for the cramped Main Stand, clearly built in an age when people had shorter legs. Why, when there were only 925 people in a 12,000 capacity stadium, did everyone seem to be sitting in the same row? Seriously, at one point I actually thought I was going to get crushed.

I started planning how I could climb over people's heads to reach the safety of the dug-outs. I was busy checking online to see if the game went to extra time or straight to penalties, when Oldham scored their second. Ever the optimist, I was certain we wouldn't win but like the manager, I never saw us losing. Still, for a team incapable of surprising the opposition, they never cease to surprise me.

Nathan Briant

I sacrificed any misery I thought I might be put through on Saturday and went to see friends instead. Was relieved when I final score more than anything. But I did, weirdly enough, watch the players and Swifty et al come out of the tunnel at 3pm on Facebook while I was standing at Bristol Parkway train station. The wonders - and total banality - of modern technology.

I know a lot of fans think a lot of things need to be changed at the club. But at the top of my list - completely aside what might be very bland football most weeks - is stopping Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who is pumped out at the start of games. It's been played for years and I fail to understand why. If the modern day football fan is a consumer, pick their games according to TV schedules and go wherever they want, surely playing a song inferring they're being 'fooled' before the thing starts is a bit off? I am aware I could be reading too much into this. Surely The Who's Bargain would be better, though?

I liked it when, years and years ago, Walsall ran out to EMF's Unbelievable. It fit then and still fits in so many ways.

Kevin Paddock

After 45 minutes against Bradford I was struggling to keep my eyes open but second half was probably our best half of the season. We were organised, attacked with purpose and had a feeling of belief.

Playing two upfront worked well but still can't get my head around Erhun Oztumer not playing unless he had a knock. Matt Preston and James O'Connor had James Hanson and Jordy Hiwula in their back pockets. If only we had that same performance at Valley Parade last season.

To all the Walsall staff, players and fans out there who are reading this have a Merry Christmas and here's hoping next year is better than this one!