With promotion in the bag, the Saddlers will be turning their attention to hunting down Hartlepool for the title tomorrow against Bury, “where all black puddings is made”, as they say in the poem. With just three games to go, Walsall have the easier home fixtures, but the more difficult away fixture, but the Hartlepool also have the advantage of going first – at home to Notts County tonight. We can only hope that they do what we did when runners up in the equivalent of this Division, blowing up in our last two home games to present Huddersfield Town with the title!

Just to add a little spice to the occasion, our opponents are far from certain to keep their League status, although they are not favourites to go down, following a very poor season.

Walsall will, of course, be without long term injury victims Ian Roper and Scott Dann, but Anthony Gerrard will be fit to return after his head injury last week. Other defensive worries surround Craig Pead, who went off injured in the same game, and, as Geordie Lyall is still injured, Tony Bedeau had to play at right back for the reserves in the week. He showed that he has played there before by not doing too bad a job. Allan Picken might well be available at last, however.

Kevin Cooper’s knee problem still hasn’t cleared up, so there is a doubt about him and Per Cederqvist’s back problem is now over. I would, therefore, expect a line up of:

Ince, Westwood, Gerrard, Smith, Fox, Harper, Dobson, Keates, Wrack, Butler, Benjamin.

The bench should be something like:

Bossu, Sam, Taylor, Picken and any from Bradley, Demontagnac, Bedeau, Cederqvist, Deeney and Pead (if fit).

Bury will be missing defenders Brian Barry-Murphy, who has been out for a few weeks, and former York man Chris Brass.

They do also have some familiar old faces in the side, coupled with a lot of kids, which tends to explain their troubles this season. Typical of the older players are former Tranmere and Stockport long throw expert Dave Challinor, the former Norwich and Stockport defender Colin Woodthorpe and the much travelled striker Glyn Hurst and even more travelled goalkeeper Alan Fettis. The on loan Andy Warrington is likely to start between the sticks, however.

Their dangerman should need no introduction, as it is 21 goal Andy Bishop, released by us back in the glorious days of the Championship and who went on to make his reputation in the Conference with York City

Predictions?

Bury go into the game in 21st place, three points out of the relegation zone. One curious thing about them, however, is their away record. They are rock bottom of the home form table, having picked up a mere 18 points from 22 games. Away, however, they are an incredible 11th, having won 8 and drawn 3 of the 21 games, so there is a threat there. If their away record were as bad as their home record, they’d have been virtually relegated by now.

That all being said, I’m going for a home win – possibly a comfortable one.