Those four wins in 16 being the presumed reason and Mullen didn't get the blame for the frozen pitch at Brighton! Still, strange to lose your job when your team hasn't even played.
The 55-year-old former Blackpool and Burnley boss joined the Saddlers as assistant to Richard Money in September 2007. With Money's resignation in April 2008, Mullen stepped in as caretaker manager before being appointed full-time a month later.
During his playing career Mullen represented Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham and got his first coaching job as assistant manager to Ian Porterfield at Aberdeen in 1986. Mullen took charge of Blackpool in 1989 before moving to Fourth Division Burnley where he guided the Clarets to two promotions.
The full statement is available at /www.saddlers.co.uk/page/News/0,,10428~1515322,00.html
TLG's sister site, www.walsall-mad.co.uk, summed it up as such: 'It looks as tough the attendances have been a key factor in this, the fans wanted Mullen out and by voting with their feet they have the wish. Now it looks time to get down the Banks's support the team and give the new manager some cash to splash on making the squad his own. Ultimately Mullen's sacking has come from raising expectations at the start of the season saying the club were going for promotion and then not delivering not to mention the long, long string of last minute throw aways since October. The football wasn't great and team selections were bizarre."
First-team coach John Schofield has been placed in temporary charge of the Saddlers, who lie in mid-table in League One, a place above Southend.
I make that nine gone now, getting up for half the league! Tilly must be thankful he's got a decent chairman who doesn't panic because the Blues aren't five points clear at the top!