Dean Smith: Saddlers are stronger than last year

A run of just two wins from the last 14 league games has ruined the Saddlers once bright hopes of finishing in the play-offs.

And the slump also means Smith's men can only match last season's total of 68 points if they win all of their final four league games.

But the manager feels his team has been more competitive this term in what he believes is a stronger League One.

And he now acknowledges the task was made tougher by the departures of key trio Jamie Paterson, Will Grigg and Febian Brandy last summer.

Smith admits the three, who combined for 40 goals last season, were always going to be tough to replace.

"We have definitely made progress," said Smith. "It was always going to be hard to replace the goals that we lost at the end of last season. We all knew that.

"But I think we have shown unbelievable potential this season and we've been competitive in every game.

"Losing that many goals is always going to be hard to replace but as a team I think we've been more competitive than we were last season."

Smith feels his squad's foundations are now stronger than they were 12 months ago and added: "We are definitely more consistent. We were in every game, with the exception of probably Preston and MK Dons, this season.

"There's not many games we haven't been in. And it gives you hope if we can keep the majority of the squad next season."

The tenth-placed Saddlers are 11 points behind sixth-placed Peterborough and though they appear to have little to play for, all four of their final opponents are not yet safe from relegation. Smith says his team will not let their tempo drop.

"We need snookers (to make play-offs)," said Smith. "But we've got three teams left to play who are right down there in the mix.

"So it's our duty to go and do the best that we can. We want to finish as high as we can and get as many points as we can so it will be no different for us – we will keep going into each game trying to win."