Stevenage (A) League One 26 Apr, 3.00pm

[TheGilbertAlsop]

I am so annoyed I have put a little tear in my season ticket and if we lose next week I will go proper mental and rip it up.

[Sadders]

If Blues come down with Barnsley and Chesterfield come up Scunthorpe/Rochdale and potentially Burton in the play-offs then we've done really well. Especially as we could be losing Carlisle, Tranmere and have already lost Stevenage. Plenty of away day fun to be had again next season. Especially with County looking good to be safe and a good chance Crewe can do something.

Back on topic, we've just ran out of everything all at once.

I can feel a mass clearout and a real struggle to build a new squad. At least we should be better odds than normal to finish in the bottom 6 next season.

[Jolly Johnny]

Dan Walker has just said on Final Score that we have lost 15 of our last 17 league games. What he actually meant was that we have only won 2 of our last 17 league games I think, but it is still absolute rubbish. :?

[TheSwift]

Apparently the 3rd goal was an awful blunder from Benning. He tried to chest it down for O'Donnell but instead directed it straight into the Stevenage player's path and he scored :(

[chestersaddler]

Since Notts County we have amassed 13 points from 17 games. Today we lost to the rock bottom side's reserves with a full strength team.

Worry beads are out for next season.

[tinned]

Is anyone else starting to feel duped by this 'building something big' mantra? I bought into the footballing DNA as much as any one else. At the moment it feels like we've been hoodwinked by the same old Walsall propaganda.

[chestersaddler]

Is anyone else starting to feel duped by this 'building something big' mantra? I bought into the footballing DNA as much as any one else. At the moment it feels like we've been hoodwinked by the same old Walsall propaganda.

It has certainly been anti climatic, particularly given the run in fixtures. The two main concerns for me are the lack of home grown young players getting a start (given the oft talked about youth set up) and the growing rumours that we could lose a number of key players at the end of the season. Certainly doesn't seem as though we are building for next season.

[m&m]

Pathetic !
2 wins from 17 is abysmal.
How wm can wax lyrical about how good deano is and how he is likely to be poached by a championship club is ridiculous.
Most clubs sack managers for that kind of form .

I'm not saying anybody else could do better though given our bottom 4 budget!

[IHTC.]

Pathetic !
2 wins from 17 is abysmal.
How wm can wax lyrical about how good deano is and how he is likely to be poached by a championship club is ridiculous.
Most clubs sack managers for that kind of form .

I'm not saying anybody else could do better though given our bottom 4 budget!

Give me Smiths style of football over the tripe we watched under Mullen and Dogface but you could say he is a lucky manager. Last season no win in 16 and this season 2 wins in 17. If our low budget was not such an issue/excuse he would have been sacked twice over.

[chestersaddler]

If our low budget was not such an issue/excuse he would have been sacked twice over.

Surely if he had been sacked the first time, he wouldn't be here to be sacked now :wink:

Seriously though, the current run is more worrying as some of the recent opposition has been garbage. In the winless run last season, there were some decent performances. We also had better players.

[Sadders]

Utter Bullshine,

2 wins from 17 would be horrific if say 14 of them were defeats. We however, have drawn a stupid amount and have only lost 1 or 2 by more than 1 goal. There were a good number of games we should have won but didn't, some down to poor luck. Think back to the deflections against Rotherham/Orient and the stupid red cards for Butler and Mantom. Honestly, there becomes a point when you manage a side like us that you effectively become hopeless, you can't bring in players galore, and your cheap/inconsistent team on the pitch start losing interest/confidence. Not even the real Mourihno would do MUCH better as Walsall manager. Sure we aren't on a great run, but it's not like we are getting tanked 8-0 each week. Our issue is that season has dwindled out, the players are on the beach, the management are already looking at next season and the performances reflect that. We will probably lose some big players - but we do every season, they only seem like big players because they've performed excellently which just goes to show that things on the pitch haven't been THAT bad.

I'm not saying this run is acceptable or that Smith and his current philosophy don't have downfalls, but honestly. Life is much worse for plenty of other teams round the country. Isn't part of supporting Walsall, accepting that there's going to be lots more bad Saturday afternoons than good, but that's why we appreciate it more when our team wins? Part of me thinks that we carried last season's momentum on early in this season, but it became apparent that the squad overall isn't good enough for anything bar a lower top half finish and as soon as that became apparent the confidence dropped and the momentum train slowed. Lower league football is based around confidence and having a solid foundation to build on, there really is very little between finishing 18th and 8th in league 1. Have some of our fans become arrogant or over-expectant? The football league reality pyramid suggests we've peaked over these last couple of seasons and things will probably be worse before they peak again. Live with it or support another club.

It's a bad run and a big summer coming up. But stating things as they are, Smith has done far more good than bad to his CV since taking over at Walsall FC and it's the paper stats that matter in modern day football, point in case - Championship rumours for Westcarr, only because they've seen 15 goals next to his end of season tally, not because he's a Championship quality player. Most teams in this division and above would take Smith on as manager should he ever be sacked at us, what other lower league teams could say that?

Be careful what you wish for.

[IHTC.]

If our low budget was not such an issue/excuse he would have been sacked twice over.

Surely if he had been sacked the first time, he wouldn't be here to be sacked now :wink:

Seriously though, the current run is more worrying as some of the recent opposition has been garbage. In the winless run last season, there were some decent performances. We also had better players.

Sounds even worse if you say 2 wins in 33 games

[tinned]

First time in ages I've read a "think the same as me or support someone else" post

:roll:

[Sadders]

First time in ages I've read a "think the same as me or support someone else" post

:roll:

Not the tone of it at all.

There are basic realities that come with supporting us as we are currently.

Calling for Smith's head or even mentioning it, is currently ridicolous and would be laughed at by fans countrywide.

We aren't Barca, we have no money, no real fanbase to speak of and yet some of our fans seem to have adopted an attitude of 'wem ace, if we don't win each week and score 7 goals, the manager has to go'. Honestly, it's Dingle talk.

The current run has been crappy, It's not been enjoyable and the season will end with the word 'apathy' written all over it. But I just don't get what Walsall fans expect constantly?

[IHTC.]

First time in ages I've read a "think the same as me or support someone else" post

:roll:

Not the tone of it at all.

There are basic realities that come with supporting us as we are currently.

Calling for Smith's head or even mentioning it, is currently ridicolous and would be laughed at by fans countrywide.

We aren't Barca, we have no money, no real fanbase to speak of and yet some of our fans seem to have adopted an attitude of 'wem ace, if we don't win each week and score 7 goals, the manager has to go'. Honestly, it's Dingle talk.

Who actually called for his head?

I think after 2 wins in 17 (no wins in 16 last season) Smith has problems halting bad runs of form, and not addressing the painfully obvious weakness's correctly it rightfully should be discussed.

[philthesaddler]

I'm certainly not calling for Smiths head, not in the slightest, but this is a massive summer coming up.

It's a summer for him to prove whether or not he can build a team capable of more than mid-table. It's a test not just of the clubs willingness to progress, but also Smiths managerial ability.

He's made mistakes this season, not strengthening the forward line being the biggest one. I had worries about our forward line last August.

Westcarr will almost certainly leave, from what I've been told! things aren't rosy in the camp, and I think this shows on the pitch. Also, the only 15+ goal striker that we've kept in the last 20 odd years has been Leitao, so it's looking a bit ominous.

Wouldn't surprise me if Sawyers moves either, not saying I've heard anything, but I don't think he's happy and could easily have his head turned.

Smith could face losing Butler, Taylor, Westcarr, Brandy, Lalkovic...and who knows, maybe a bid will come in for Mantom. That's a big rebuilding job, which is an opportunity for Smith.

Unfortunately, this season we have gone backwards, more of the same next season and it will be time for Smith to move on.

If we all take Sadders attitude, then what is the point? Should we just be happy to exist and have no desire for anything more?

[chestersaddler]

Indeed. No one has called for Smith to go, but, ( Rab C Nesbitt mode) I will tell ye this (Rab C Nesbitt mode). If we continue this run of form at the start of next season, there will be plenty clamouring for his head, small budget or no small budget.

[Cully]

Is anyone else starting to feel duped by this 'building something big' mantra? I bought into the footballing DNA as much as any one else. At the moment it feels like we've been hoodwinked by the same old Walsall propaganda.

NO! There was nothing of substance from the start 2 1/2 years ago. Whilst I applauded his 'team building spirit' it would appear that the lack of both tactical plans and a mix of poor and slightly average players with the occasional input of a few quality homegrown or loan players has once again delivered us in our average league position. You are not on your own tinned, a large number of posters were convinced that our occasional training ground flicks, tips, taps and bonhomme approach would lead to world domination lead by 3 year contract signings of Baxendale, Sawyers and Featherstone with many predicting promotion last October. Unfortunately, Smiths lack of noticing that we didn't have a striker, lack of plan B when other teams sussed out how to stop us and stubbornness to learn from the many matches we either lost or drew despite creating numerous chances leaves us back to his square one. A now traditional annual seasonal slump, 17 games and just two wins, a clueless team who can't beat a relegated team of reserves and a record number of managerial excuses unsurpassed since the days of Hutchings although it appears that from 'Sadders' post above he is doing his best to match him.
Apparently, as supporters, we are clueless. We don't know how little his budget is, we don't know about the hundreds of players he has tried to sign that have turned us down, we don't appreciate how well run the club is, we don't appreciate our 'Ginger Morino, how lucky we are to have an official 'Club DNA' plan, we haven't got any money, we're not Barcelona, we can't score 7 goals every week and we haven't got any fans to speak of, deflections............unlucky.............sendings off.................poor refereeing............no chips etc etc

Roll on a new manager, should have given Steve Burr or any of the many successful non league managers an interview or a chance years ago instead of trawling the usual tired bunch of lower league managers/coaches usually suggested by the fans including many on here because they can't think that there is life beyond the football league............clueless.

[Cully]

Is anyone else starting to feel duped by this 'building something big' mantra? I bought into the footballing DNA as much as any one else. At the moment it feels like we've been hoodwinked by the same old Walsall propaganda.

NO! There was nothing of substance from the start 2 1/2 years ago. Whilst I applauded his 'team building spirit' it would appear that the lack of both tactical plans and a mix of poor and slightly average players with the occasional input of a few quality homegrown or loan players has once again delivered us in our average league position. You are not on your own tinned, a large number of posters were convinced that our occasional training ground flicks, tips, taps and bonhomme approach would lead to world domination lead by 3 year contract signings of Baxendale, Sawyers and Featherstone with many predicting promotion last October. Unfortunately, Smiths lack of noticing that we didn't have a striker, lack of plan B when other teams sussed out how to stop us and stubbornness to learn from the many matches we either lost or drew despite creating numerous chances leaves us back to his square one. A now traditional annual seasonal slump, 17 games and just two wins, a clueless team who can't beat a relegated team of reserves and a record number of managerial excuses unsurpassed since the days of Hutchings although it appears that from 'Sadders' post above he is doing his best to match him.
Apparently, as supporters, we are clueless. We don't know how little his budget is, we don't know about the hundreds of players he has tried to sign that have turned us down, we don't appreciate how well run the club is, we don't appreciate our 'Ginger Morino, how lucky we are to have an official 'Club DNA' plan, we haven't got any money, we're not Barcelona, we can't score 7 goals every week and we haven't got any fans to speak of, deflections............unlucky.............sendings off.................poor refereeing............no chips etc etc

Roll on a new manager, should have given Steve Burr or any of the many successful non league managers an interview or a chance years ago instead of trawling the usual tired bunch of lower league managers/coaches usually suggested by the fans including many on here because they can't think that there is life beyond the football league............clueless.

[philthesaddler]

Smith said in his post match interview that we had "been a top 6 side for two thirds of the season"

He's gotta stop these delusional post match comments.

This is not even close to being true, and if he believes it then no wonder he's consistently average, someone needs to tell him that to be classified a top 6 side you need to be in the top, err, 6. Something we haven't been since October.

[Cully]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

[IHTC.]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

What post...........

[chestersaddler]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

It was such a good read, it deserved a double post.

[Cully]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

It was such a good read, it deserved a double post.

Forgot the SMITH OUT - PERIOD

[chestersaddler]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

It was such a good read, it deserved a double post.

Forgot the SMITH OUT - PERIOD

Not to mention the LLDDL.

[tinned]

Who the hell called for his head? As soon as someone dares constructively criticise Smith the certain sections get their knickers in a twist. I don't care if our budget is 5 million or 5 quid, we have underperformed considering the assets at our disposal. I can accept not succeeding but I will not accept not trying to succeed. Accepting mediocrity is just as damaging as those that expect constant success.

[IHTC.]

Who the hell called for his head? As soon as someone dares constructively criticise Smith the certain sections get their knickers in a twist. I don't care if our budget is 5 million or 5 quid, we have underperformed considering the assets at pur disposal.

A happy clapper

[Cully]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

It was such a good read, it deserved a double post.

Forgot the SMITH OUT - PERIOD

Not to mention the LLDDL.

I'm hoping to expand this one thread so that you will be able to state with confidence that on at least one thread there are more posters on here when we lose :wink:

Apart from that what is it about goats and caves?

[chestersaddler]

Just in case anyone missed my first post..................

It was such a good read, it deserved a double post.

Forgot the SMITH OUT - PERIOD

Not to mention the LLDDL.

I'm hoping to expand this one thread so that you will be able to state with confidence that on at least one thread there are more posters on here when we lose :wink:

Apart from that what is it about goats and caves?

I do not take credit for the assertion that match threads are longer when we lose, only that there is more traffic on UTS as a whole, as the doomongers come out of the long grass. expect a reappearance from Doffer and Sheff on AAW anytime soon :arrow:

It is where and who I live with.

[Cully]

You live with a goat? Is it good looking?