Walsall's home woes deepen in Harrogate collapse at Bescot

Walsall started with a spring in their step but ultimately allowed a late first half goal to derail them in their 2-0 defeat against Harrogate Town.

Home form has simply not been good enough. Walsall have won just once in their last 12 games at Bescot and have lost seven in the process.

And results on home soil has proven a decisive factor with only six teams collecting fewer points than the Saddlers’ measly tally of 29 at WS1.

It was also the seventh time that they failed to find the net in front of their own supporters in 2026, as a lack of cutting edge in the final third cost them again.

Walsall had a number of chances during the opening exchanges. Charlie Lakin stung the palms of Harrogate goalkeeper Mark Oxley, Priestley Farquharson slammed an effort on to the post and Jid Okeke was foiled one-on-one.

But Harrogate always offered a threat on the counter-attack and they made it count in a huge game regarding their fight against relegation.

They worked through the thirds with ease and Walsall crumbled defensively as Shawn McCoulsky escaped Aden Flint and smashed a ruthless finish into the top corner from the edge of the box.

It epitomised Walsall’s season or possibly even the past two or three seasons in general.

Alex Pattison used the word street smart when asked what this side are lacking and he could not be more right.

An inability to ride out tough moments has frequently been a stumbling block for the Saddlers and it’s no wonder Darren Byfield is demanding a shift in mentality.

The failures of last season have followed this team into the current campaign - even if many were not responsible for the collapse of 12 months ago.

It’s become ingrained in the club and there is a desperate need to change the narrative, but that comes from the players first and foremost.

Just a reminder, Walsall emerged with 13 wins from their opening 22 games to sit top of the table for the second Christmas on the spin just four months ago.

That feels like a very long time ago indeed and the second half of the season has been draining for everyone involved.

Walsall have tasted victory just five times in the league since the turn of the year - with only Barrow, Tranmere Rovers (both three) and Crawley Town (four) picking up fewer.

The one bright spark on an otherwise dark day was the performance of Pattison who made his return from a hamstring injury.

His absence has been truly felt in midfield - especially during a pair of costly defeats against Swindon Town and Cheltenham Town respectively earlier this month, which ultimately sealed the Saddlers’ fate in the play-off race.

As long as Walsall can keep him fit, and that is the major question mark hanging over him, then Pattison is exactly the type of player you build a team around.

It was unfortunate Pattison picked up his injury when he did because he just appeared to be hitting his stride after a stop-start introduction to life at Bescot.

He refuses to shirk a single challenge, chases every ball and looked a cut above everybody else in the quality stakes.

Pattison almost made it 1-0 with a stunning half-volley from 20 yards which forced a smart reactive save from Oxley.

But he was the one exception in what was a poor collective performance overall. Rico Browne struggled to maintain his promising form at right-back and Farquharson was far too wayward with his distribution from deep.

The midfield dynamics only sporadically clicked too and Walsall certainly missed Brandon Comley at the base of the midfield for the first hour.

Lakin deputised in the No 6 role and found himself out-battled in the heart of midfield.

They were also less fruitful in the wide areas with Okeke flattering to deceive and veteran Albert Adomah only offering his quality in glimpses.

Admittedly, Walsall have shown signs of improvement under Byfield. They have picked up three wins from nine games, as opposed to just two from the final 14 of Mat Sadler’s reign.

But he has not been able to find consistency and the fact that Walsall are yet to win back-to-back games in 2026 is another disappointing statistic.

Improvement over the summer is needed, but there is a growing fear that things could get worse before they get better.

Pessimism has seeped into this club, and understandably so, but it’s down to the players and the coaching staff to breed positivity back into the stands.