Blog: Onwards and upwards for the super Saddlers
They say it's not the despair that kills you, it's the hope, writes Walsall blogger Mark Jones.
We may have extended our unbeaten run to 14 games but that gut-wrenching feeling which goes hand-in-hand with defeat was very much the order of the day at Scunthorpe on Saturday.
Just to rub in the misery of losing two points so late on and in such a disappointing manner, results elsewhere had gone for us.
A win would have put us in the driving seat, albeit with Swindon leaning across trying to grab the steering wheel.
Now we need favours from other teams and, in our history, other teams never seem to want to help out. OK, Peterborough did two years ago but they owed us that one.
The simple maths is that - assuming Sheffield United and Milton Keynes Dons aren't involved in basketball-scoring games - with their massive goal difference, Swindon need five points from their remaining games to secure a top six spot and that's it.
All our boys can do is go out and play with a bit of freedom, beat doomed Bury and then give Crewe the long-overdue annihilation they deserve.
If we do end up falling short of the play-offs, it won't really be because of anything that's happened since the turn of the year.
We all know the haul of five points from a possible 36 up to that day at Cov in December is the main culprit.
For two thirds of the season, we have been magnificent and the trend is upward, the vibe is positive.
Whatever happens in the next week and a bit, I'm looking forward to next season already.
Meanwhile, tomorrow night is the Annual General Meeting of the Supporters Trust at the Pretty Bricks pub, John Street, Walsall, WS2 8AF.
It begins at 7.00 pm and is open to anyone, members or non-members.
The Trust have also organised an end-of-season party on Saturday night at the Saddlers Club.
There will be two bands playing and all money raised on the night will go to the Meningitis Trust.
The Trust are hoping to present Dean and Danielle Holden with a cheque for their charity at the end of the night. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for under-16s.
We have a lot to be proud of this season, let's celebrate our achievements. Up the Saddlers.