CHRIS HUTCHINGS was among the crowd at Town’s Galpharm clash with Plymouth on Tuesday.
So too was Walsall scout Mal Saville, checking on Lee Clark’s side on behalf of Dean Smith, in caretaker charge of the Saddlers after Hutchings’ departure as manager on January 4.
That came after a 4-1 defeat at Peterborough, since when Walsall have had two draws, 3-3 at Tranmere and 2-2 at Bristol Rovers.
The second, sealed by Aaron Lescott’s 83rd-minute equaliser, was enough to move the Midlanders off the foot of the table at the expense of Dagenham and Redbridge.
Former Walsall player Smith, who has stepped up from his role as head of youth development, is desperate to record what would be a sixth win of the season in his first home match.
“We have to do better than a mid-table team if we are going to climb out of the trouble we’re in and that’s what we’ll work towards,” said the 39-year-old, who had four seasons as assistant manager to Martin Ling at Leyton Orient.
“What we need is consistency. We have shown a little by going unbeaten for two games but we also need to win matches.
“In my head I would have set a target of three points from the last two games. Unfortunately we’ve got two but we’re still unbeaten.
“What’s better? I don’t know but I’ll be able to say in a few weeks!”
Smith is convinced Walsall can stay up, adding: “I am here because we’ve had a poor first half of the season but I’ve seen a reaction from the players in the last two games.
“The guys have what it takes and we’ll try to bring some players in who can help strengthen us.”
Walsall say they have had more than 50 applications for the manager’s job.
l Eight Premier League clubs and 13 from the Championship were represented at the Town-Plymouth clash.
Scouts from Blackburn, Blackpool, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle, Stoke, Sunderland and Tottenham were there alongside Simon Smith, from the Football Association, and Don Givens, from the FA of Ireland.
The Championship clubs present were Burnley, Derby, Doncaster, Hull, Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Millwall, QPR, Scunthorpe, Sheffield United and Watford.
