Walsall FC - View

This time last year Walsall found themselves in a similar position to Notts, however it is vastly different at the club this season. The Saddlers are concerned that they don't have enough fire power upfront and the arrival of Tom Bradshaw in the summer has given them a striker who knows how to find the net.

However the Saddlers are still struggling and are only 1 point away from the drop zone, with all to play Pride of Nottingham catches up with sadlad.

You're actually a resident on Pride of Nottingham, this is interesting especially considering you're a Walsall fan. Can you tell our readers why you joined us?

I was already signed up to a few other clubs fans sites like Huddersfield, Sheff Weds and Preston etc and had a look on the search engine for possible Notts County sites as Walsall were playing them soon. PON came up and on first viewing it struck me as how friendly and community based it was . I was made welcome right away on joining and I have to say its a really good, friendly site with fans of several other clubs posting away with the Notts County faithful so yes its the friendliness and acceptance which convinced me it was a good place to post with fellow football fans.

How do you feel the season is going and do you have any regrets about players who have left your club?

The season so far for 'The Saddlers' has been disappointing. The opening six League One games saw us failing to register a win and last season's continuation of not really scoring goals was there for all to see. Back to back home wins were spoilt by a shocking 0-4 thumping at Rochdale and results have been mixed since. Last Saturday's home win to Chesterfield was vital as we went into the game joint bottom. The only player to leave in the summer with any regret was captain Andy Butler who wanted to return up north and was snapped up by Sheff United. however he was re-signed on a month's loan and did a good job whilst he was here.

Another connection to PoN is the fact our first opposition residents are Shrewsbury Town fans. You signed one of their star players in the summer, Tom Bradshaw. He's scored 6 goals in 10 games for you, it seems daft to ask but how his he settling in? Also, what are your personal thoughts on him?

Tom Bradshaw has turned out to be an excellent signing and is already a firm fans favourite. He is full of energy, his work rate is terrific and he has a good goalscoring knack. Gets in there without fear and I just hope he can remain fairly injury-free. When he has been out injured he has been sorely missed. He's quite a handful as you will hopefully find out on Saturday! He has an early meeting with Shrewsbury as they are our visitors in the FA Cup and we hope he bags a hat trick!

You do a fair bit of travelling, you're a very die hard fan. What does the club mean to you and which do you prefer away days or home games at the Bescot Stadium?

I have been a fan of Walsall since 1966 from the age of 8 and yes its become a way of life. I love our clubs history especially anything to do with our 'real' home Fellows Park which we had to leave in 1990. I tend to go to most of our away games and love awaydays best..There is not much atmosphere generated at home games at Bescot. Ask any fan of my generation and they will tell you of the better atmosphere generated at the old place.

Which players are currently in form for Walsall and which of them pose a threat to the Notts defence?

Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell has kept several clean sheets this term and full back Andy Taylor is steady. Tom Bradshaw is the main threat and is the main one to watch as he never gives centre backs a minute's peace.

You played apart in helping Alan Buckley write a book, can you tell us how this came about and how you feel about it? Did he give you a signed copy?

I had no involvement with the writing of the book- that was down to Paul Thundercliffe- but I was asked by them to provide a few pictures for the book and to use on their book web site which I was happy to do and also help them spread the word on the net so I linked their book site anywhere and everywhere possible with sites of clubs he'd either played for or managed. and all over applicable Facebook pages. Alan is my all time footballing hero and along with 5,000 others used to worship him from the terraces at Fellows Park. from when he first signed for us in 1973. He's our record goalscorer and as our manager produced teams who played some terrific attacking football. My friendship with him began two years ago when he did a Q and A session at a Walsall pub. I went up to him and told him I dio historical articles for a fans site (Walsall Web Fans) and asked if I could contact him at Grimsby Town FC (where he then worked as apart time youth coach) as I wanted feedback from him on what I had written about him! He consented and as he has nothing from his past with us in regards memorabilia he was very keen to see anything from that era. I was invited to the book signing event and the press launch before it and have met him at two other functions in Walsall since and its surreal that my hero is now my mate as well! The book is reprinted in November and I will start the publicity campaign all over again! No I had to pay for my copy like everyone else including our assistant manager Richard O'Kelly!

Which Notts players would you have marked and how would you cancel out our attacks?

I would say Ismail is the one to watch. I dont think we have played the same back four in consecutive games - or so it seems- so its hard to say who would mark him. Could be Paul Downing. I see you have won more games away than home and I think it will be a close game.

Last season you beat us in our home game 5-1, what are your memories of that and did you feel you could finish within the play-offs?

Last season's meeting at Meadow Lane was an amazing game for us! We had something like 30 attempts on goal, 18 on target and scored 5.. Our complaint was that we didn't score more. I seem to remember we messed up two one-on-one's with your keeper and fluffed a few more chances. It was just one of those games where we clicked. On loan played from Sheff United Febian Brandy scored a hat trick and it a bit out of character as we scored so few goals over the season as a whole.. The play offs were always a big ask last season and Im a firm believer in the fact that the league tables don't lie over the season. This season's game will be a lot closer and Saddlers can only hope for a draw at best I feel.

Pride of Nottingham would like to thank sadlad for taking the time to answer our questions, we hope to see him around the site and hopefully he enjoys his visit to Meadow Lane bar the result. COYP's! Up The Saddlers!