Mat Sadler's Walsall timeline as century in the dugout looms

Sadler, who turns 40 on Wednesday, has overseen a remarkable transformation at Bescot during his 20 months at the helm. 

Here, we reflect on his time in the dugout so far.

November 28, 2023: 'Catastrophe in Cumbria' 

The mood was at an all-time low. Walsall had just been beaten by Barrow and were languishing 19th in League Two. 

Many were already beginning to turn the screw on Sadler. They had collected just five wins from their first 19 league games and had gone six without a win in the league. 

Co-chairman Ben Boycott jetted over from the US and admitted that results needed to improve immediately. 

January 1, 2024: 'A Christmas miracle' 

Sadler needed a saviour and Oisin McEntee conjured up two second half strikes in a 2-1 comeback win at Notts County. 

It would prove the catalyst to a remarkable run of five wins from six games. They beat Tranmere Rovers 1-0 and responded to a 2-1 setback at Accrington Stanley with back-to-back home wins over Crewe Alexandra and Wrexham respectively. 

Then, Walsall condemned Grimsby Town to a 6-1 drubbing on New Year's Day, scoring six on the road in the league for the first time since 1948. 

March 2, 2024: 'Five in a row' 

Walsall experienced a wobble in the wake of Freddie Draper's recall by Lincoln City. The forward had scored 10 goals during the first half of the season.

They had gone five without a win when Mansfield Town arrived at Bescot fresh from beating Harrogate Town 8-2 just days before. 

Taylor Allen started at left centre-back with Donervon Daniels injured and Norwich City loanee Emmanuel Adegboyega replaced the injured Priestley Farquharson at half-time to score the match-winner in a 2-1 success. 

Wins over Morecambe, Harrogate Town, Accrington Stanley and Doncaster Rovers would follow to propel Walsall into the play-off spots with 11 games to go. 

April 27, 2024: 'Play-off capitulation' 

Walsall would ultimately collect just 11 points from the last 33 available, losing four of their last five games. 

After a season of progress, Sadler was handed a new deal. But his side succumbed to a 5-1 humbling at the hands of AFC Wimbledon less than 24 hours later on the final day to fall five points short in the play-off place.

October 1, 2024: 'Rude awakening' 

The Saddlers flew out of the traps in 2024-25, winning six of their opening eight league games for the first time since 1985. 

That stellar start included 4-0 routs over Swindon Town and Colchester United but a sudden 6-2 drubbing against Fleetwood Town threatened to derail their early promotion bid. 

January 11, 2025: 'Record breakers'

Fortunately, the Fleetwood battering would prove quite the opposite. Instead, Walsall went 16 games without tasting a defeat in League Two and stormed into a commanding 12-point lead at the summit. 

Walsall racked up big wins against promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon, Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers, as well successive victories over Notts County during that run. 

And they made history with a famous 5-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers to set a club record eight-match winning streak in the league. 

But less than 36 hours later, top marksman Nathan Lowe was recalled from his loan spell by his parent club Stoke City. 

Lowe had scored 18 goals and set-up seven more during his goal-laden stint with the Saddlers. His departure would prove challenging to overcome despite Walsall extending their club record run with 4-2 win over MK Dons the following weekend.

February 11, 2025: 'Bump in the road' 

Walsall were riding high until they were mercilessly shot down by Bradford City in a 3-0 defeat at Valley Parade. 

Fleetwood eased to a 2-0 win three days later in Lancashire and Walsall needed a late double from Danny Johnson to rescue them from a third successive defeat against Salford City at Bescot. 

Then, Colchester came from behind to further compound their misery and a 1-1 draw against Gillingham extended their winless run to five games. 

Just like that, Walsall's lead at the top had been cut from 12 points to seven. 

February 25, 2025: 'Back on track?' 

Back-to-back wins against Chesterfield and Morecambe respectively have settled the nerves, and kept Walsall eight points clear at the top. 

Goals from Allen and Jamie Jellis secured a 2-0 success at Morecambe on Saturday and helped Walsall move on to 66 points, surpassing their tally from the previous campaign (65).