Boss has his say...
IT SHOWS how well MK Dons have done this season that even though they have lost five of their last seven games, they are still up there in the top four.Yes, they've had a bit of a wobble recently, but they have the players at their disposal to turn it around. We are only too aware of how dangerous they will be and we are ready to face the threats that they possess.
Our own performances have not been good enough over the last few weeks. It's been nice to have a free week to be able to work on a few things in training and just get back to basics.
We're looking forward to these next two home games and will be going all out to get maximum points. These are the type of games that you want to be involved in against good sides at this level.
We fancy our chances against anyone at this level. It will be a good game on Saturday, with a good atmosphere; we go into it with a steely determination to put in a good performance.
There have been occasions recently where we have been really good, as we were in the opening half-an-hour against Rochdale, but also times like last weekend where we fell well below the standards that we expect.
It will be nice to see Will Grigg again at the weekend; we still keep in touch and I am pleased that he is having a good season with MK Dons. He's a nice lad and we know that we'll need to watch him carefully during Saturday's game.
We're hopeful of having both Anthony Forde and Jordan Cook back in action. They joined in training during the latter part of the week, whilst Sam Mantom came through 65 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday. I would rate Adam Chambers' chances as 50/50 at this stage. He picked up a high sprain on his ankle towards the end of the last game. He is confident that he will be okay and the fact that he looks after himself so well on and off-the-pitch will stand him in good stead.
The only definite absentee is Rico Henry as he continues his comeback from a dislocated shoulder.
I would like to place on record my thanks to all the fans, from the staff and players, for your continued support - you have kept behind us, even when things aren't going as well as we would all like. We are all striving to be successful at Walsall FC together.
DEAN SMITH