A tough episode to record, but one we hope got the tone of what the fans are feeling.
Times are extremely tough for Walsall fans. The hope of promotion has dwindled, and the pain of the play-offs is dawning, barring a miracle.
We chat through our feelings on the situation, our thoughts on the future of Mat Sadler and the team, and generally try and treat the episode like a therapy session!
Fantastic Pod, thanks for publishing it and your work so far.
I think your perspectives reflect what most people think and it’s really good to hear it. Especially the emphasis on character and not getting into personal attacks on Sadler / players.
Another good listen. Nailed the tone, spoken as loyal supporters.
January window - Agreed, it wasn’t as bad as some make out. It could have been better of course but by no means a disaster. They have just been very badly managed.
Crewe Away - Stick with the boys for the majority but if the result/ performance isn’t acceptable towards the end of the game, rightly make your opinion known to Sadler and Trivela.
A brilliant listen and one that will resonate with many of the Walsall family.
I agree that Sadler comes across as a decent enough person but it’s not about being a decent person, it’s about having the flexibility to change something that isn’t working anymore, it’s about being strong enough to admit that it’s not working.
This whole sorry mess needs clarification because Sadler has messed up big time while those around did what exactly. Trivela have questions to answer as well and perhaps had Boycott been paying attention he might actually have noticed what thousands of us could see was happening.
I’d love you pair to grill Trivela or Sadler but I know there’s more chance of John Lennon announcing a tour than that.
Before promotion, however, the Saddlers have to undergo a test: they must pass through the “dark night” which is a new and deeper experience of annihilation, or a crucible in which all the human elements that make them are melted together. But the darkest nights are followed by the most radiant dawns and the Saddlers, perfect at last, enter into complete, constant and inseparable communion with League 1
I reckon you’ve summed up the general feeling from the fan base fairly well there
Strikes me that we all seem to feel pointed in the same direction that this debacle is down to one man - however what perturbs me is even with other, more experienced professionals around him, he’s still become and remained a rigid, stubborn and ultimately, inflexible failure… my question therefore is did he himself build that support team around him (enabling him to be obstinate and ignorant of footballing fact) or did Trivela build it but gave them zero authority to challenge him when things started to go pear shaped?
The other scenario of course is that the lot of em are simply incompetent….
Very painful listening but you speak for us all and you are spot on. For what its worth I have seen Walsall relegated 6 times and only 2003/04 was anywhere near as soul destroying as what we are going through now.
