Walsall Wednesdays

Fantabulous! Promotion, but I am not going to get excited just yet because we want the title, and we want it now. With the lack of defenders, I would make Hartlepool the favourites, but in football you never know, and that is the beauty of it. However, I would like to express my thoughts on Mannie Smith. He`s better than I`d thought he would be. He is strong and not phased by anything that comes at him, including a very tall Jason Lee. When I saw him against Hereford, he did nothing special, he just did the basics and very well indeed. I think he will have a very important roll to play in the Saddlers defence from now till the end of the season.

Now, I would like to start a campaign to sign Trevor Benjamin on a more permanent basis. He has grabbed two very important goals for us so far, and he has shown the kind of application needed to be successful, certainly League One. Give the guy a one-year-deal to prove himself I say. He has the potential to score goals, as well as rekindle Martin Butler, who can also score goals. However, I can understand at this point that you may be wondering how he could manage to play in a red shirt on a regular basis, and I have to admit, I agree. He has had his injury problems, and certainly this season when he was playing regularly for Peterborough. If this trend is set to continue in relation to Big Trev`s fitness, then he does not have a future at Bescot. We need a striker who plays every game, and with a smile on his face that suggests he is happy, not one that suggests he is in pain. If Big Trev can stay fit, then he will be a force to be reckoned with next season. Also, I would like to add that if we do not sign Kevin Harper this time around, then questions should be asked!

Bury, Wrexham, and Swindon. These are the three teams over the next three weekends` that we will have to face to take the title from Hartlepool`s grasp. The Pool face Notts County, a match that will be reported on by Vital Football this Friday night, and then travel to Rochdale a week later. On the last day, Wilson`s men will face Bristol Rovers to secure the title. I think, looking at these fixtures, this title race will be going to the wire, which will have to snap with all the pressure being applied to it. Poor analogy.