Walsall analysis: Saddlers cling on to top spot despite falling to defeat

The Bescot has been a fortress for much of the campaign but back-to-back defeats on home soil suggests they're even starting to struggle on their own stomping ground. 

In total, Walsall have collected just 10 points from the last 33 available since roaring to a club record nine-match winning streak at the end of January. 

Now, Bradford remain two points adrift of Walsall after losing 1-0 at Gillingham but the so-called bump in the road is showing no signs of easing for Mat Sadler's men. 

They did start strongly, just as they did against Carlisle United on Tuesday. Ellis Harrison took just six minutes to mark his return from illness with the opening goal.

It was a ruthless attacking move. Ryan Stirk stole the midfield at the halfway line, Albert Adomah floated dangerously between the lines and weighted his through ball to perfection for Harrison to slam a powerful finish into the bottom corner. 

But if those inside Bescot expected it to set the wheels in motion for a return to winning ways then they would be severely mistaken. 

Instead, Walsall switched off at a set piece and Grimsby punished them by pulling themselves level. Jason Svanthorsson worked his free-kick short to Jayden Luker on the edge of the box and the Luton Town loanee was afforded acres of space to place a precise finish into the far bottom corner. 

Walsall were often last to second balls and there was a scrappiness to their play which was akin to the performance they produced against Swindon in their last home game. 

Adomah did have a glorious chance when Jordan Wright rushed from his goal-line but the 37-year-old could only drift his looping effort away from the target. 

Danny Rose put Grimsby ahead on the cusp of half-time when he hammered an unstoppable penalty into the top corner on the cusp of half-time. 

The decision which saw Grimsby awarded a penalty was contentious. It was difficult to see from afar whether Allen made contact with the ball but replays suggest he did. 

Regardless, Walsall were behind at the break and it was very much of their own doing. 

Sadler did attempt to turn the tide after the break. Jamille Matt, who started on the bench due to illness, and Oisin McEntee were introduced. 

But Walsall still looked nervy and sloppy errors remained a constant theme throughout. There was little imagination or guile to their play and they simply resorted to long ball tactics especially in the final half-hour. 

Walsall were about to bring on triple reinforcements when Luker raced away to double Grimsby's lead. Kieran Green's through ball dissected the entire Walsall defence and David Okagbue was unable to catch Luker as he confidently finished past Simkin who was caught in two minds whether to come out of his area. 

They've dropped points from winning positions in five of their last eight games which is a major concern. The defensive solidity which was one of Walsall's key strengths earlier in the campaign has also crumbled of late. 

Harry Williams returned to the back-three after not featuring in the previous four matches but was unable to stay in command of a defence which was at sixes and sevens for large portions of the game. 

Okagbue was guilty of kicking the ball long far too often and his headed clearances were regularly directed into danger rather than to safety and Allen was rather wasteful with his set pieces. 

Evan Weir, Brandon Comley and Danny Johnson were brought on for the final 25 minutes but the game was pretty much decided as a contest at that point. 

While Walsall remain at the summit, fourth-place AFC Wimbledon were able to close the gap behind the Saddlers to eight points. 

And with crunch clashes against promotion rivals Wimbledon, Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale respectively on the horizon, it is concerning that Walsall will be heading into that key period in such weak form. 

They sit 11th in the annual table after collecting 19 points from their 14 games in 2025 so far, as opposed to Bradford who've amassed 32 points from a possible 42. 

Everyone imagined there to be dips along the way and nobody expected it to be a straight road but Walsall seem completely off track at the moment. 

Walsall look a shadow of the team from several weeks ago. Too many players find themselves out of form and the intensity levels which were so strong earlier in the season have dropped drastically. 

Have players ran out of gas? Has the mental challenge of a title and promotion battle taken it's toll? Can the current players get Walsall out of this situation, or will Sadler need to find a new winning formula to turn the tide? 

There are lots of questions but very little answers at the moment. The trip to Bromley feels even more important now on Tuesday night, with maximum points a must ahead of a trio of crucial promotion clashes.