Pressure is off for Laird

The heartbreaking collapse against Southend nearly two weeks ago all but ended any faint play-off hopes for the Saddlers, and with Jon Whitney’s side firmly in mid-table going into the final seven games it seems like there’s only pride to play for.

However, loanee Scott Laird has other ideas and still habours the ultimate ambition of making the top six, speaking to the Official Walsall FC website Laird, said: “The pressure is off us,I`ve been involved in promotion teams who get in during the last ten games and they win seven or eight of the last ten.

“Until it`s mathematically impossible to get into those play-offs, it`s still on – why can`t we win seven in a row?’

Whilst I don’t agree that the play-offs are even nearly within reach this season, I do feel that a positive finish to the season could provide the solid foundations for a successful campaign in 2017/18.

Looking back to 2014/15, Dean Smith loosened the shackles of a previously tepid side and the result was attacking football for the final few games which of course set us up nicely for the promotion push in 15/16. Although no repeat of the 8-2 against Bristol City would be great, thanks.