In The Hot Seat: Walsall

Decent start under Manager Jimmy Mullen who wasn't a popular fans choice when appointed last summer. As the autumn set in it was clear he wasn't really up to the job. Home gates dwindled and before Christmas some fans had started calling for his head as we seemed stuck in mid-table and not pushing on. The board dithered and he was finally on his bike in the January.

A dream team of two former Saddlers were appointed in Chris Hutchings as manager and Martin O'Connor as his assistant. The feeling amongst the supporters improved and so did the team performances. There had been too many square pegs in round holes under Mullen who often played men out of position. The damage was really already done by the time CH arrived though and our season saw us end up in 13th position, nowhere near the play-offs.

Former Shrimper Michael Ricketts got a dozen goals and could have scored more had he not spent a quarter of the season suspended! His petulance that got him sent off in the game at Roots Hall just about summed him up.

2. How do you think you will do this season?

We will certainly be a better team under Hutchings this season and will hopefully finish higher in the table than last term. The quality of the teams who have come down may dent our play-off hopes and there are still three or four good teams who failed to go up last season so it will be hard but some seasons a dark horse emerges so why not Walsall?!

Realistically 9th or 10th is probably best hope.

3. What is your squad like?

So far Hutchings has made 7 summer signings and he has in the main gone for players who can play in two or more positions which is most useful for a team like Walsall who historically don't spend much on transfers and has to keep the squad numbers down.

Steve Jones has plenty of experience (Crewe and Burnley) and can play down either wing or striker. Jamie Vincent (ex Swindon) is another vastly experienced player who is left back or left side midfield. Matt Richards has similar qualities. Peter Till (from Grimsby) can play down either wing. Striker Sam Parkin got a shed load of goals at Swindon before he got badly injured at Ipswich.

New captain is centre back Mark Hughes who again can do a job in midfield and other new signing from Blackburn Josh O'Keefe is one for the future at 20.

Big summer boost was when goalkeeper Clayton Ince signed on for another year.

4. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Walsall FC have an excellent youth policy which in recent years has produced players like Matty Fryatt and Julian Bennett who have been sold on and we have a few in the first team squad who we are hoping for big things from.

Richard Taundry, Mark Bradley and Alex Nicholls should be regulars but the one in form at the moment is centre back Manny Smith.

5. What's your manager like and will he still be there at the end of the season?

Manager Hutchins: Part of Sadlad's dream team at the Bescott

Chris Hutchings, 51, was No.2 to Paul Jewell at a number of clubs and has been a manager himself at Bradford City, Wigan and Derby. Real chance at Walsall for him to have a long spell and advance his career. He will definitely be here at the end of the season

6. Are you happy with your chairman/backroom staff?

Chairman/owner..a contentious figure in the shape of Jeff Bonser. Helped saved the club in the early 90's and renowned for good housekeeping at the club but charges the football club crippling rent..around a grand each day! Not media friendly at all.

Backroom staff...Besides Chris Hutchings we have Martin O'Connor, a Walsall legend, as his assistant. A local lad who played with Hutch at Bescot and we have new Youth Coach Dean Smith yet another ex player! All three were captains at the club so a bit of a dynasty forming there. Hutchings and O'Connor have done meet the player evenings twice since they have been here and are popular with the fans.

7. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

Leeds United! We actually recorded a 1-0 win over them here last season. Leeds fans seem to think they have a divine right to be in the Premiership when in truth they are now a well-established L1 outfit! Their fans obsession with the moronic 'champions of Europe' din is another reason. They will never be as good in Europe as Man United-and they know it!

8. Predict your champions and runners-up, the four play-off teams and the four to go down

Champions...Norwich.
Runners up...Millwall.

Play-offs....MK Dons, Leeds, Charlton, Swindon.

Four to go down; Brighton, Hartlepool, Stockport, Exeter.

9. Finally, and most important..... The best place to quench your thirst before the game?

Best place to have a pint is The Saddlers Club. Situated right next to the away end at the stadium. Away fans are permitted and just a quid to get in. Worth it though as a long walk to the nearest pubs and beer and hot food is relatively cheap. All welcome.