Grimsby v Walsall - Match preview

The Saddlers travel to Grimsby Town tomorrow without a win in Dutton’s first 10 games in charge.

They have also only won one of their last 17 League Two games – disastrous form that has seen them plummet to 20th in the division.

Dutton now has 10 games left of the season to keep the eight-point gap to the bottom two and ensure survival.

But chairman Leigh Pomlett made it clear in his address to supporters almost two weeks ago that although he backs Dutton to succeed, he will need victories in the following two weeks.

After two draws and a defeat since then, Dutton is potentially entering tomorrow’s game needing a win to save his job.

When asked if he thinks that is the case, he said: “No, I don’t.

“I’m a really positive person and don’t get bogged down with what might be or negatives.

“I’m doing all I can, believe me I am leaving no stone unturned to make Walsall Football Club successful.

“I just need to make sure the players are doing the same.”

On Tuesday night the Saddlers limped to a 0-0 draw with a toothless attacking display against 10-men Southend.

Defensively they did relatively well, but going forward they produced zero efforts on goal in the second half.

The point gained, however, allowed them to keep the bottom two out of reach but with bottom club Grimsby next up a Walsall victory is needed now more than ever.

“It’s massive but they’re all massive games, especially when you’re playing the six-pointer games, which Grimsby is,” Dutton added.

“It’s the next game, so that’s why it’s a massive game, and once we play Grimsby the Harrogate game will be a massive game.

“They’ll all be massive until Walsall Football Club is secure and in League Two next season.

“Then we can all start forward planning about how we can take this great football club back into the great football club it was.”

Regarding team news, Walsall could be given a major boost if Rory Holden returns from his long injury lay-off.

Dutton revealed last week that the attacking midfielder was days away from coming back and could make the squads for either the Bolton, Southend or Grimsby games.

He did not feature in the first two, so could make his long-awaited return tomorrow.

"He will travel with us tomorrow, so that's all I'm going to say on the matter," Dutton said.

"Will he be out on the pitch? You will have to wait and see, but he is travelling."

Dan Scarr has been missing with a calf injury since the Barrow game and Dutton has now said they expect to see the defender again before the end of the season.

"It's been a positive reaction to the injury and it's likely he will be back this season," Dutton added.

"My focus is fully on the boys available to me and I'll leave the rehab to the medical department.

"In a nutshell, he's had a positive reaction and is likely to be back before the end of the season."

Meanwhile, with Hayden White suspended, young defender Tom Leak may keep his place. The 20-year-old made his Walsall and EFL debut on Tuesday and impressed, forcing Dutton into a decision on whether to keep him in the team.

“I’ve seen Alfie and Sam taking their chances when they’ve been given opportunities and that’s all I wanted to do,” Leak said.

“I’m thankful to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity and hopefully I’ve repaid him and keep repaying him and the faith he’s put in me. I want to build on this now and stay in and around the squad.

“Get as many appearances as I possibly can, but it’s down to the gaffer. All I can do is work hard, improve on what I need to and hopefully get many more games.”

Former manager Darrell Clarke never gave Leak that opportunity, insisting that young defenders need more time to develop.

Although that was a difficult time for Leak to go through, he is now focused on the future.

“That’s football, it’s a game of opinions,” he added.

“The gaffer has believed in me that I could deal with League Two football and he’s given me the opportunity, which I’m thankful for.

“It didn’t happen under the old gaffer, which was obviously a frustrating period for me as I felt I was working hard and doing well in training. I’m just thankful that the gaffer has seen what I can do and trusts me.”