We had a bad start. After a 1-1 opening day of the season draw at Carlisle, we slipped to five straight defeats. Summer signings resembled OAP brigade with the over 35s Paul Hall, Tommy Mooney and Danny Sonner arriving.
The changing point was Hartlepool away on September 29. After a shocking 3-0 battering by Oldham, out went the oldies and other ineffective summer signings, in came our kids! One defeat in 23 games and Walsall were right in amongst the automatic promotion slots. However we then sold our star defenders Daniel Fox and Scott Dann, the latter being sold 10 mins before the transfer deadline. No replacements and Walsall gradually slipped away to higher mid-table.
How do you think you will do this season?
My hopes aren't much I'm afraid. Mid-table would be my best hope
What''s your squad like?
Well we still have not got a team, our two signings in Stephen Roberts and Dwayne Mattis look promising but our squad does not even field a natural first XI yet. We have lots of trialists at the moment of which it can be expected most will sign like Patrick Suffo - remember him from the Battle of Bramall Lane!?
Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
I think this could be the season Richard Taundry cements his first team squad status and I expect he will get 20-30 league starts. The Walsall fans unfortunately for him can play in many positions and I fear his versatility will cost him settling down in one position, something I feel is important for a young player.
What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?
Jimmy Mullen, new in, replacing the former Scunthorpe manager Richard Money or Dicky Dosh as he was known by our support. Mullen was assistant to DD but was plucked from non-league having been in obscurity with many short spells in non-league management. He's a hero with Burnley fans after leading them up the Football League but he will not find the Walsall fans so understanding. He needs to hit the ground running, otherwise it could be a short period in the hot seat I'm afraid.
Are you happy with your chairman/backroom staff?
The chairman is not liked at all by the majority of fans. The question is who is there to replace him? No one really! When the heat is on him, the manager will often go so if Jimmy doesn't get us up the league expect the boot!
Which team do you want to beat the most and why? Got to be Leeds really, anything to help them stay in this league for as long as possible!
Predict your champions and runner up, the four play-off teams and the four to go down
Champions: Leeds
Runner-up: Southend
Play-offs: Scunthorpe, Leicester, Colchester, Northampton
Relegated: Hereford, Cheltenham, Yeovil, possibly us??
Andy has asked us to remind Iron fans they can compete in Walsall MAD's prediction league. It is open to supporters of all teams and there is a prize for the winner Click here to enter