Well, it’s staring down the barrel time again. Just how did that happen?

One point from two games over the not so festive period (and, what’s worse, two inept performances as well) has taken the Saddlers two steps back yet again, just in time for the arrival of improving Blackpool. We are sitting in a far from satisfactory 13th place, and, of the teams below us, Port Vale, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Yeovil and Gillingham all have winnable home games. There is no room for error.

Paul Merson has said that “heads will roll” and that changes will be made following Wednesday night’s capitulation at Bradford, but, to be honest, his options do seem limited. Hopefully Bennett or Fox will be fit enough to come back in at left back and Wright may be available to replace the out-of-sorts Daryl Taylor, but it’s questionable how match fit he could be after such a long lay off. The best news must be that Fryatt should be back.

As for Blackpool, their game at Oldham was off this week, so they have had a longer rest. They are not reporting any injury problems on their Official Site at the moment, so everyone clear your throats to let cheat Keegan Parker know what you think of him.

So, predictions? Blackpool are in the last relegation spot at the moment, but only six points behind Walsall, with a game in hand. That does not, as usual, tell the whole story, however. They are half way up the away form table, with 2 wins and 7 draws from their 13 games, a respectable return and far, far better than ours. It is their home form that has been letting them down. Indeed, their last game, on Boxing Day, was a very good away win at Port Vale.

The Saddlers’ confidence must be rocking following the performances against Tranmere and Bradford and, normally, I’d be worried about an upset here. However, I suspect Merson’s chestnuts will be pulled out of the fire yet again. Home win.

(PS, DON’T FORGET IT’S A 1.30 KICK OFF!).