Walsall go into tomorrow’s game at Hartlepool with, unbelievably considering the up and down nature of this season, a chance to make it four wins on the trot and give Player-Manager Paul Merson a more than decent shout of the April Manager of the Month award. Considering the position the club was in four or five weeks ago, it seems almost impossible! Since Merson was forced to leave himself out of the side at Swindon and switch to the 4 5 1 formation, it’s played three, won three, scored 7, conceded 1, with each performance better than the last.

So, what are the opposition like?

Hartlepool will be desperate for a win, as they try to cement a play off spot for the second season running. They go into the game in fourth place, but with only one point in hand on Wednesday, Bournemouth and Brentford. They have the third best home record in the Division of:

P 22, Won 15, Drawn 3, Lost 4, Points 48.

So things look a bit ominous for the Saddlers’ chances of continuing their run? Ominous until you look a little more closely, however, as their last five home games have been LLWDW. It seems that the strain of staying in the play off places was starting to tell, even though they won two of the last three at home.

Their top scorer and dangerman is Adam Boyd, with 21 league goals from 41 games. His partner up front is normally Australian Joel Porter, but he has been out with an injury and it’s still not known if he will figure. Their only other injury problem is young defender John Brackstone, almost certain to be out.

As for the Saddlers, it’s the same as the last three games, almost certainly, as Andrew Surman plays his last game (for the time being, we hope) before returning to Southampton. Merson’s only dilemma would seem to be whether to put himself or Mark Kinsella, returning from suspension, on the bench in place of Neil Emblen, freed early to help him finalise his move to New Zealand, as Julian Bennett will still be out for a while.

Predictions? This is a tough one to call, but, in view of the confidence flowing through the side and the nerves flowing through Hartlepool, I’m going for another away win and Manager of the Month for League 1 for April for Paul Merson. 2 – 1 to the Saddlers.