George Dobson: Plenty of teams are battling League One drop

The midfielder, whose goal effectively saved Saddlers from the drop last season, hopes Dean Keates’ men are turning the corner at the right time this season in their bid to avoid relegation to the fourth tier.

Walsall now sit in 20th position, a place and two points above the relegation zone.

But they are also just two points behind Southend United in 13th spot – and Dobson is also looking up the table.

“We are two points off 13th,” he said. “There are a lot of teams in it. And we have got four points from the last two so we are starting to pick up a little bit of form. We are where we are in the table. It doesn’t lie. But we are not far away from where we feel like we deserve to be.”

That makes Saturday’s draw at Burton feel like an opportunity missed to have put more daylight between Saddlers and Rochdale, who yesterday sacked their manager Keith Hill as they fell into the relegation zone.

So should Saddlers have come away from the Pirelli Stadium with all three points?

“I think so, especially with the second-half performance,” admitted 21-year-old Dobson.

“I thought the first half was a bit cagey, it was a case of both teams working each other out. But in the second half we had some good chances. Josh (Gordon) with a header.

“(Matt) Jarvis was unlucky. I’d say on the balance of play we should have nicked it. But it is a point gained. It’s four points from the last two and we are looking forward.

“Luke (Leahy) has forced the keeper into a good save. Jarv (Jarvis) went close. We did create chances it just didn’t quite fall for us.

“It was frustrating because we went away from home and felt we did enough to get the three points.”

On the upside, Dobson believes keeping a clean sheet against Burton is also a big shot in the arm for Saddlers.

“Definitely. In the second half I can’t remember them having a clear-cut chance, I think that is the biggest positive,” he added.

“Sometimes in football you keep clean sheets you don’t deserve to. But we deserved that clean sheet at Burton.

“With the amount goals we have conceded, that is a real confidence boost for us. Hopefully we can build on that with another clean sheet against Fleetwood.”

The midfielder also heaped praise on Saddlers’ travelling support who gave their side vocal backing at the Pirelli.

“It makes such a difference. There were over 1,000 and it just breeds confidence,” said Dobson.

“When they are cheering you on and pushing you over the line it gives you such a lift.”