Walsall’s best performance of the season came 42 games in - but at a very welcome time - as London Road Peterborough saw wave after wave of Saddlers attacks, and their most convincing away performance for 2 years resulting in a 2-0 win.

Few can deny that this season Walsall fans have had their patience tested, and their loyalty questioned, as we swapped survival in England’s second tier for a desperate attempt to avoid dropping to the equivalent of the 4th. Made all the more galling by seeing long ball Luton secure promotion at a canter.

But now, with Walsall a mathematical point away from safety - barring a miracle we can savour same division football next season. But will the Walsall board confound expectation and dust off that contract waiting for Merson’s signature? Or will, as widely speculated, they shake hands with Merson in early May, bid him adieu, and laud the arrival of a new man on half the wages, proclaimed by their official website with typical fanfare in the close season. The time has come. Walsall board - either offer him a contract this week, or end the speculation. No doubt the timing of any announcement will coincide with instructions for us all to text-2-win or subscribe to a knock-down-World price before the chance escapes us. Time will tell.