The Fat Controller reporting direct from the Victoria Ground.

After the dustcart, the Lord Mayor’s Show arrived with a vengeance this afternoon, as the Saddlers came away from third placed Hartlepool with a well deserved three points.

Richard Money made a number of changes, with Sonner gone. Weston was surprisingly dropped to the bench, with Wrack at right back, Gerrard and Dann were in the middle, with Roper ill, and new man Mattis joined the returning Dobson in midfield with Sonko and Demontagnac. Up front were Deeney and Mooney, with Butler dropped to the bench.

All of the changes worked. This was the Saddlers of last season away from home and more, as they didn’t just hold the home team, but slowly established a grip on the game, creating all of the best chances.

Home keeper Budtz was in great form to keep out Mooney in the first half and did even better to stop a close range effort from the same player in the second. Demontagnac, Deeney and Sonko were also keeping the keeper busy, while Dobson and Mattis seemed to settle down to their new partnership extremely well, so much so, in fact, that Ince was barely troubled until the second half, when he did, admittedly have to look alert a couple of times.

Eventually, in the 88th minute, all of Walsall’s good football was rewarded, when Mooney played in substitute Paul Hall with a long pass and he finished the chance superbly.

The Fat Controller decided to give the Man of the Match to the superb Scott Dann, although Gerrard and Fox were not that far behind.

His favourite monent? Sonko (who lasted the whole game) being greeted with the chant of “He’ll eat again, don’t know where, don’t know when”.

The first loan signing has been made – Barnsley midfielder Dwayne Mattis.

The former Huddersfield and Bury man is 26 and made 79 appearances for Huddersfield and 110 for Bury before joining Barnsley in January 2007. Mattis joined Barnsley after two unsuccessful bids despite offers from MK Dons. The final fee was £50,000 rising to £75,000 if Barnsley avoid relegation, plus a 20% sell on fee.

So far the former Irish under 21 International has been unable to break into the Championship side’s first team, although he did play for them against Newcastle in the League Cup this season.

Walsall have made an appointment to their backroom staff, according to the Express and Star.

Jimmy Mullen, the former Sheffield Wednesday player and manager of Burnley and Blackpool has moved from Hednesford Town, where he was the Assistant Manager.

There is no indication from the article in the paper what role he will be taking up at the club.

The 54 year old’s greatest success came at Burnley, where he gained promotion twice and achieved something approaching hero status amongst the fans.

Well, who’d want to do a preview of this one? Unfortunately, I’m going to have to have a stab at the impossible, given the traumas that have been going on at the club this week. It isn’t just the poor performance last Saturday, or the fact that last year’s rivals, Hartlepool, have started in such good form, but we also just have no idea what the effect of Danny Sonner’s departure is likely to be on the team or, at this stage, whether any reinforcements are likely to arrive in time to play. If Sonner’s going is not for football reasons, then the eventual effect may be positive, but the initial impact may be different, as it leaves us so short in midfield.

Ian Roper will certainly be missing, having contracted what sounds to be a particularly nasty virus, and Boertien is, of course, out for some weeks, so the defence will be picking itself, with Ince, Weston, Dann, Gerrard and Fox.

In midfield, Dobson is fit, but the make up of the rest is anyone’s guess. If I were Money, I think I’d go for a 5 man midfield of Sonko, Dobson, Wrack, Bradley and Demontagnac with a lone striker. Even then, it’s certain that Sonko won’t last the 90 minutes. Still, the end of Ramadan is only a week and a half away!

Hartlepool were, of course, the team we pipped for the title on the very last day of last season, so they might think they have a score to settle. More importantly for them, however, will be the fact they have made a good start and are only three points behind leaders Leyton Orient. They will want to maintain their momentum.

They have a particularly dangerous strike force, in the shape of Porter and Ian Moore and they are the highest scorers in the Division, having beaten leaders Orient 4 – 2 last week. They haven’t, as yet, kept a clean sheet this season, however, so there must be some vulnerability at the back. Walsall’s problem, of course, is that our defence has been under pressure and we haven’t looked like scoring goals, either!

There may be some movement today on the loans front (and certainly should be next week), but, even if reinforcements do arrive on the scene in time to play at Hartlepool, it’s difficult to see them having much effect with no time to train or be integrated with the rest of the squad.

It’s hard to see anything other than a long, hard afternoon in the North East tomorrow.

The club have announced that Danny Sonner’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

The only explanation there can be for this is that it is not for footballing reasons, although it should free up resources for the brining in of loan players.

it seems that there may be a lot of activity in the next 24 hours or so.

Richard Money has been given the go ahead to bring in three loan signings in order to strengthen the flagging Saddlers.

There is a possiblity that the three signings may even arrive in time for the difficult away trip on Saturday to in form Hartlepool.

The Express and Star, the source of the story, has no idea who the players are that Money has in mind, or even the positions he wants to strengthen, but it is difficult to imagine that they do not include a centre half, in view of the fact that Ian Roper is doubtful for Staurday with a virus, a central midfielder, especially as Danny Sonner is doubtful with his knock picked up last Saturday, and a striker, where the beldn up front just hasn#t worked at all this season yet.

UTS will, of course, bring news at it happens.

Something of a more specific and updated pub-guide to Hartlepool this season as over the course of the last couple of years certain pubs seem to have become firm favourites, and of course the residents of The Pooliebunker have thrown open an invite to The Millhouse.

The long thirst inducing trek North to Hartlepool, which if you are “training” it via Newcastle includes a picturesque coastal bit past Blackhall rocks, scene of the demise Jack (Michael Caine) at the end of the film Get Carter.

On arrival the station exits onto Church Street which has a plethora of bars (although many strangely quiet on a match-day), the best bet is to take a right towards the ground and head up to The Ward Jackson which is a very decent Lloyds No1 effort, with good service, reasonable prices, and decent menu. There are usually a good mixture of fans in here without it being too busy.

In years gone by I’ve always headed to The Jackson’s Wharf on the Marina, visible via the tall ship mast. Car travellers will also find plenty of free parking here, only 6 minutes walk from the ground. The pub boasts excellent food and a broad selection quaffable beer, delivered via prompt, intelligent service. There is also a genuine welcome for away fans. Three seasons ago they had window posters with Hartlepool and Walsall crests, a really nice touch. Although the football theme was dampened down a touch a couple of years back following a re-fit it is still a good all round pre-match boozer. The terrace overlooking the marina can, weather permitting (chuckles) be a picturesque alfresco drinking environment. If you’ve got the kids with you and don’t mind wasting 8 minutes drinking time there’s an award winning maritime museum next door that includes the moored ship.

Last season I ended up in the corner flag club at the ground, again a friendly welcome awaits although there is the usual social club small door charge, but the biggest problem is the heat and cramped layout which last season forced me to drink in the doorway, it was stifling.

Finally as mentioned our visitors on the message board have recommended the Millhouse opposite the ground, which is traditionally the home pub. Boasting large screen tv and a lounge which admits children, UTS regular Hartofthepool assures a friendly welcome awaits any Saddlers, but its probably not a good idea to belt out a raucous rendition of Queen’s “we are the champions” until safely in the ground.

All in all a really friendly trip, spoilt only in part by an extortionate admission price and that seemingly endless journey home if we lose. I really must stop falling asleep on the metro

The nightmare came true yesterday at Bescot as ex-Saddler Michael Ricketts made a scoring return to his former club as Oldham swapped places with us at the bottom with a convincing 3-0 win. The debate has been raging ever since the final whistle on the message board - many views expressed - this is how WFC Rob saw it:

Roper is past it. I don’t like to say it, but he looks a liability every time he steps onto the pitch. We don’t have a defender playing alongside him who is able to carry him through games either. I’ve witnessed him being at fault for 3 goals this season already and I haven’t been to every game. He’s looking more and more like a League 1 version of Bramble/Boumsong with every game. His mistake for Ricketts’ goal was defensive suicide. Plain and simple.

Wrack is by no means a match winner or a brilliant player but he’s our best option in the middle of the park. I thought he made a big difference in the second half. He will carry the ball and his passing is very good but most importantly, he moves when he passes which means that at least the players around him can pass to him rather than look for the long ball into the corner.

Sonko was our best player going forward and got taken off. What was that all about? Oh sorry, his religion meant that he couldn’t complete the 90 minutes despite looking more mobile and up for it than about 7 other players. Pull the other one, Dicky.

Mooney and Butler can’t play together up front. They both want to go for the same balls and therefore rarely link up with eachother. We looked like we were building a style of play in previous games but lacked the pace to make the most of it. This partnership isn’t going to help things.

The most natural goalscorer we’ve had at the club since Fryatt gets brought on in the middle of midfield. Not as an attacking midfielder either, but as a sitter in front of the defence. He told the manager that he was up for playing there though, so he got the nod. How many 19 year old ex-bricklayers are going to turn down the chance to play out of position for a league one club? Really feel sorry for the lad today - he wasn’t able to do himself any justice because of poor management.

I’m not going to call for the managers head just yet, but he’s really got me baffled and concerned. Which 11 players names will be pulled out of the hat next weekend?

Never before has relegation looked so likely so early on in the season.

First win of the season for the Saddlers and we are off the bottom. Gary Ellison Saddler was there - and this is his report reprinted from the message board.

It was our worst league performance of the season apart from Gillingham and we managed to score twice and play some football, Jockney was right when he said the worst team lost as Millwall stank. Their goal came from a right (our left) sided cross. Me and others around me believe DD took Ish off because he wasnt tracking back although he did take a knock 5 minutes before it. Roper could be out for the Oldham game as he had to be helped from the pitch by Whitney.

I read the 4-5-1 thread before I posted this and whichever one of you said Wrack wouldnt come near it, im very glad youre not in a position to affect team choice as he was our best midfielder today, he ran with the ball and really wanted to work well with Sonko, when these two have an understanding it should be fun to watch with Sonko doing some intelligent running. If anyone should worry its Sonner as he was total gash today and as usual his set pieces were powder puff.

Heres some player reviews then pop pickers:

Ince - I know he was in the sun for both halves but he worries me more this season where I had only slight doubts last season, kicking is still awful but throwing and catching is still there for the big lad. Added to this though he did make 2 good reflex saves

Boertinen - Solid but still doesnt like to cross in the air, something to be ironed out in training as he does overlap more than our former leftback/winger combo

Weston - Read Boertinen except he just needs to learn how to cross.

Roper - Taken off due to getting his head stuck in, fought hard for the ball and made a great tackle to deny a ‘wall goal.

Jean-Claude Van Dann - Solid but performance wise in Roper’s shadow, its going to take time for him to adjust to this level but hes coping well

Sonner - Sinner more like, weak in the tackle and slack with posession. Hope he improves for the Oldham game or that Dobbo is back because if that performance turns into form, hes in trouble.

Gerrard - Played well, distribution wasnt great but then he is a centreback by trade, broke up a good portion of Millwall play. Moved back to cover Roper’s injury and performed ably with Dann. Saw him in KFC later on aswell, glad he likes the Colonel.

Wrack - Passed well, tracked back and looked for posession saving passes rather than killer balls. Ran with the ball Shocked and didnt look worse for moving into centre midfield after Roper’s injury. As said further up if he can gel with Sonko while hes in the centre it should get better and better.

Fox - Get ready with the print button kids… FOX IS HAVING A DECENT SEASON SO FAR well taken goal “he could hardly miss” said the Millwall fan, I disagree, he took his goal with an overhead kick or I was dreaming. Plays well with Boertinen and is very comfortable with him overlapping, its starting to come good for Mr Fodder I think.

Butler - Harried and hustled but couldnt get the balls into positions to get a final product, looked decent but the boy needs goals.

Hall - I dont mind him up top but the ball just cant stick to him a la Carniero. He can turn his man and out pace him but this doesnt happen often enough, needs to be ironed out by playing the ball to his feet rather than lofting them up, loft the to Mooney and Butler FFS! Carniero and Hall need it to feet.

If two long trips to the darkest corners of the South-East weren’t enough to erase your enthusiasm for away trips then let’s have three cheers for the fixture computer for making it a quick-fire hat-trick. Yes folks Millwall away, for the discerning drinker/away fan about as edifying as a bucket of jellied eels.

Before I incur some kind of Bermondsey fatwa for slagging the place off, Millwall away and in particular the New Den probably isn’t that bad to be honest. Apart for the odd coin wielding Burberry clad numbty you can get anywhere, for a low profile fixture like ours the atmosphere borders on relaxed. That said although I wouldn’t recommend swanning around the local boozer with a replica top on, but the chances are anyone remotely resembling an away fan will be ushered into the ground for overpriced lager and pre-match tele under the stand.

If you do escape into the outside world said local comes in the form of The Golden Lion, which on my last visit was on a par with many other match-day pubs in roughish areas when Walsall are in town, bog standard plastic beer in plastic glasses and an air of dormant tribalism.

Of course the major advantage of Millwall is that it’s highly adjacent to central London, just five minutes on the train to London Bridge where there is basically something for everyone in a typical London kind of way. All Bar One provides the best sanitised chain option, The Banana Store represents novelty idea that didn’t quite work in reality, and the area around or heading down Borough High Street reveals several more traditional pubs such as: The Bunch Of Grapes for bijou and Young’s ales; The George if you want to sit outside and top up your tan from Gillingham away; or, (recommended) The Market Porter just of Southwark St. for Real Ale and upstairs restaurant.

Just on a completely selfish note…. roll on Hartlepool!!