Ten league games unbeaten. Seven draws. Just three victories. Welcome to DRAWsall FC.
It’s becoming something of a running theme this season, and while nobody can complain too much about an unbeaten start to life under Lee Grant, there’s a growing sense that Walsall need to start turning some of these single points into victories.
Tuesday evening sees the Saddlers return to the Bescot to face Oldham Athletic, looking to extend their unbeaten League Two run to eleven matches and, hopefully, collect a much-needed three points along the way.
Walsall have taken 16 points from their opening ten league fixtures, demonstrating impressive resilience and defensive organisation. However, with just one victory in their last seven league outings, the unbeaten record doesn’t quite tell the full story.
Oldham arrive in the West Midlands having enjoyed a considerably better weekend, recording an emphatic 4-1 victory over Cheltenham Town to end a six-match winless run in the league.
It’s a meeting between two sides with very different recent experiences, but both will see Tuesday as an opportunity to build momentum.
And with Salford City visiting the Bescot next Monday, there’s no shortage of incentive for Walsall to get back to winning ways.
ANOTHER SATURDAY, ANOTHER DRAW
Saturday’s trip to Swindon Town produced another familiar story for the Saddlers.
Walsall fell behind after just five minutes when Aaron Drinan converted from close range following a long throw from Mitch Clark, with Stephan Negru helping the ball into the striker’s path.
It was a disappointing start, particularly for a side that has built much of its unbeaten run around defensive discipline.
However, Grant’s side responded after the interval.
Tai Sodje, fresh from scoring twice against Fulham Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, headed home the equaliser in the 55th minute after Swindon goalkeeper Connor Ripley had produced an excellent save to deny Mason Hancock.
Both sides had opportunities to find a winner, but neither could make the breakthrough.
Another 1-1 draw. Another point on the road. Another match without defeat.
There are certainly positives to take from Walsall’s ability to respond when falling behind, and Sodje’s recent contributions have provided another encouraging attacking option.
But there’s also an obvious frustration.
Five draws from our last six league matches have prevented the Saddlers from making greater progress up the table.
The resilience is admirable. Now we need to start seeing a few more victories.
OLDHAM FIND THEIR SHOOTING BOOTS
Oldham’s preparations for Tuesday couldn’t have gone much better.
After a difficult run of results, Micky Mellon’s side produced an impressive attacking display to defeat Cheltenham Town 4-1 at Boundary Park on Saturday.
Calum Kavanagh opened the scoring after 19 minutes before Jamie Robson doubled the advantage six minutes later. Favour Fawunmi added a third before half-time, giving the Latics a commanding lead.
Cheltenham pulled one back through Freddy Willcox, but Robson completed his double late in the second half to secure a convincing victory.
It was a welcome change for Oldham, who had managed just one goal across their previous four league matches.
The result ended a six-match league run without a victory and will undoubtedly have lifted confidence ahead of their trip to the Bescot.
Kavanagh, who now has five league goals this season, will be one to watch, while Fawunmi’s involvement in Saturday’s attacking performance demonstrated the problems Oldham can cause when things click.
Walsall will need to ensure their opponents aren’t allowed to carry that momentum into Tuesday evening.
A RECENT MEETING TO FORGET
Walsall supporters won’t need reminding of Oldham’s previous visit to the Bescot.
The Latics travelled to the West Midlands on 29th December 2025 and left with all three points following a 2-1 victory.
It was a frustrating evening for the Saddlers, who were competing towards the top of League Two at the time.
Oldham’s victory demonstrated their ability to compete against promotion-chasing opposition, and Tuesday provides another opportunity for Walsall to produce a better result.
There may have been changes to both squads since that meeting, but the challenge remains much the same.
Walsall need to be competitive, organised and, crucially, more effective when opportunities arrive.
THE SODJE QUESTION
One of the more encouraging developments over the last week has been the emergence of Tai Sodje as a genuine attacking option.
Two goals against Fulham Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy were followed by Saturday’s equaliser at Swindon, giving the young forward three goals in two appearances across all competitions.
It’s exactly the sort of contribution Grant will have wanted to see from players looking to establish themselves in his plans.
Aaron Pressley remains an important figure in the attack, having scored six league goals this season, but having another player finding the net can only be positive.
Andrew Dallas, Reece Smith and others have also demonstrated their ability to contribute important moments, although Walsall haven’t always managed to turn those individual contributions into convincing team performances.
The challenge now is finding the right combinations to create opportunities more consistently.
Sodje has certainly given the manager something to think about ahead of Tuesday.
TIME TO TURN ONE POINT INTO THREE
There’s no question Walsall have made a respectable start to the campaign.
Ten league matches without defeat is an achievement, particularly following the changes made during the summer.
The Saddlers have shown defensive organisation, character and a willingness to fight until the final whistle.
But there’s also a difference between being difficult to beat and being a side capable of consistently winning football matches.
Three wins and seven draws from ten fixtures have brought 16 points. Turn just two of those draws into victories and we’d be sitting on 20.
That’s how quickly the picture can change.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Tuesday will be straightforward. Oldham will arrive full of confidence following Saturday’s result, and their recent victory at the Bescot serves as a reminder that they shouldn’t be underestimated.
However, Walsall have enough quality to approach the match believing they can win.
A positive start would certainly help.
Too often this season we’ve found ourselves needing to respond to setbacks rather than taking control of matches from the beginning.
Getting in front and giving Oldham something to chase would make a welcome change.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME FORM
With Salford City visiting next Monday, Walsall have an opportunity to make the Bescot an important part of their promotion ambitions.
The Saddlers have already produced some encouraging performances at home, including victories against Accrington Stanley and Port Vale.
However, goalless draws against Grimsby Town and Rochdale have also highlighted the difficulty we’ve sometimes experienced breaking opponents down.
Those are the fixtures where finding an extra goal can make a significant difference over the course of a season.
Oldham won’t arrive simply to make up the numbers, particularly after scoring four at the weekend, but Walsall should be looking to impose themselves on the game.
The unbeaten record provides a solid foundation.
Now it’s about building on it.
THE FINAL WORD
There’s plenty to be positive about at Walsall.
Ten league matches unbeaten, a solid defensive record and a squad that has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to respond when things aren’t going to plan.
But even the most optimistic Saddlers supporter must be getting a little tired of draws.
DRAWsall FC might provide a laugh, but nobody wants the nickname sticking around for the rest of the season.
Oldham arrive having rediscovered their goalscoring touch, and Saturday’s victory over Cheltenham should ensure Walsall approach the game with the respect it deserves.
However, this is another opportunity for Grant’s side to demonstrate that there’s more to their game than simply avoiding defeat.
Pressley has been finding the net, Sodje is making an impression and there are encouraging signs that the attacking options are beginning to develop.
Now we need to put it all together.
With another important home fixture against Salford approaching, three points on Tuesday would provide a welcome boost and help turn a promising unbeaten start into something more substantial.
Ten unbeaten is impressive.
Eleven unbeaten would be even better.
But please, Walsall, can we have a win this time?
Enough of DRAWsall FC. Let’s get back to winning ways.
Come on you Saddlers.