'Ultimate accountability' - Co-chairman Ben Boycott addresses Walsall's declining form

The American has jetted over to the UK in an attempt to find a solution to the current situation after a dismal run of one win in eight games. 

That spell has culminated in the Saddlers plummeting from the top of League Two into ninth-place prior to Tuesday's fixtures in the EFL's basement division. 

Pressure has continued to mount on head coach Mat Sadler, but Boycott insists he must take "ultimate accountability" for the situation they find themselves in.

'High level of urgency to return to those high standards'

"Speaking broadly, there are some really good things that have happened at the football club over the last three years," he told the club in a video statement.

"We have elevated the football standards that we hold ourselves to. There is broad recognition with Trivela, with the board and with the group at the training ground that we have not met those elevated standards over the past several weeks. 

"There is a high level of urgency to return to those high standards. Ultimate accountability for that rolls up to me, as the senior leader of the organisation. 

"I'm very focused on doing everything that I can to return us to those high standards that we've set for ourselves." 

Walsall infamously blew a 15-point lead in the automatic promotion places to miss out on the top three altogether last season. 

Boycott eager to 'cultivate winning mentality'

The Saddlers once again sat top of the pile on Boxing Day, but have since fallen out of the play-off places. 

Boycott has said he is paying very close attention to that trend and feels a flip in mentality is needed to regain momentum during the League Two run-in.

"I do think it's a reality that those who are close to the football club that over the last several seasons, we've reached a level where one of our key goals was within reach," he continued. 

"Standards have dropped off where that was not achieved. That is a trend that I'm paying very close attention to. 

"It's proof that the quality and talent is there because you'd never reach that level in the first instance. 

"We've spoken about how do we cultivate that winning mindset at the football club and the group at the ground is great at this. 

"We just need to continue to drill and focus on that, and operate from a place of aggression to achieve our goals, as opposed to fear of not achieving them. 

"That's a mindset that everybody involved at this football club needs to take forward."

Trivela are "more engaged than ever before" - Boycott claims

There has also been criticism from sections of the fan base regarding Boycott's lack of presence, or communication of late. 

Boycott conceded that his physical presence has reduced in recent months, but that his commitment to the club has actually increased.

"I want to acknowledge that there is a concern and a narrative that Trivela are less involved, or less interested than in times past," he added.

"The reality is that the opposite is true. Trivela are actually more engaged in Walsall Football Club than it ever has been before. 

"There probably is a reality that I have personally made less video updates, less written updates and less appearances at events than times past. 

"I think there was an element early on of everybody getting to know each other and then a recognition that there is a limit that people want to hear me talk about stuff. 

"Off camera, the reality is that Trivela is a much bigger organisation today than it was then. 

"On my senior leadership team, we have outstanding professionals in areas of operations, finance and legal administration matters, and football."