Just three months ago, Walsall sat 12 points clear at the top of League Two, dispatching MK Dons 4-2 in a commanding performance.
Fast forward to mid-April, and they are clinging to third place, level on points with rivals below them and without a win in ten games.
Early Season Optimism Gone
Much of the early-season optimism has been replaced by confusion and concern as the once-fluid Saddlers have stalled. It’s not just about the absence of Nathan Lowe, who returned to Stoke after a prolific spell — deeper issues have emerged. Jamille Matt, the veteran striker with 12 goals this season, believes confidence has taken a hit, and with it, momentum has swung drastically the other way.
Their form is alarming: two wins in 17 games. Only one team in the division has collected fewer points during that stretch. Matches once controlled are now slipping through their grasp, and questions are being asked.
“It is not as easy as saying one thing has changed. Momentum works both ways… Confidence can take a knock. But I can say it is not for the want of trying from the boys. Everyone has trained really hard.”
Matt’s voice carries weight — not just because of his goals, but also his background. With a degree in counselling psychology, his insight into the squad’s mentality offers perspective. He maintains that confidence stems from preparation and insists Walsall’s focus remains clear: regroup, re-energise, and push for promotion.
The striker believes that opponents are now treating Walsall like a prize scalp, adapting their strategies to stifle their strengths. Injuries have also played their part, with key absentees such as George Hall and Jack Earing unsettling a once-settled lineup. But belief still runs deep within the dressing room.
Matt’s unwavering support for manager Mat Sadler is equally notable. Amid growing fan unrest, he has called criticism of the boss “ridiculous,” citing Sadler’s steady leadership and the impressive position the team remains in — despite the slump.
The coming fixtures are critical. Walsall must shift gears quickly or risk falling into the play-off melee. Yet for Matt, a local lad now wearing the shirt he once watched from the sidelines as a schoolboy, the dream is still alive.
Writer’s View
There’s no denying Walsall’s alarming decline in form, but the table shows they still hold their fate in their own hands. The bigger question is whether this squad, carrying tired legs and wounded confidence, can rediscover the belief and intensity that made them such an unstoppable force earlier in the season. Matt’s leadership — both emotional and tactical — could be the spark they desperately need.
