Dean Smith marks two years as Walsall FC boss
Walsall manager Dean Smith today warned his side their League One survival job is only half-done as he celebrates two years in charge.
The in-form Saddlers could hammer another nail in crisis club Portsmouth's coffin live on TV tonight and hand Smith the perfect anniversary present.
They could move 14 points clear of the drop zone and fourth-from-bottom Pompey with a win but Smith insisted they must hit the safety target as soon as possible.
The manager, who replaced Chris Hutchings two years ago today, said: "It's progress but I would sooner get to 50 points. Tranmere won on Tuesday and they will be celebrating because they got to 50 points.
"I would like to get that myself now. I think clubs in this league need to get to 50 points as soon as they can because it's such a difficult league.
"We need to get that and progress from there. I've always said it's small steps and we have tried to be consistent.
"The players have put in some consistent performances in the last few weeks, so long may that continue.
"We will just take it a game at a time. We're making progress and that's all we can keep doing."
Walsall are 16th in League One after three wins from their last four games moved them 11 points clear of Portsmouth.
Pompey, who will be docked 10 points once they enter administration when the Supporters' Trust's takeover is approved, were hammered 5-0 at Swindon on New Year's Day and could only name four substitutes.
Most of their players' short-term contracts expire this month but Smith is wary of a backlash.
He said: "They have taken a heavy beating but they will be looking to bounce back. I would never be complacent and we need to treat it as a tough game."
Florent Cuvelier is having treatment at Stoke and the extent of his hamstring injury will be assessed over the next few days, while Andy Taylor is out with a groin injury.
Smith believes the volume of games played in poor conditions could be to blame.
He said: "Things cross your mind when you have Andy Taylor and Flo Cuvelier and the amount of games we play – five or six in two weeks – and maybe the heavy pitches play a part."