This Saturday will mark the end of Walsall manager Dean Smith's third year in charge of the Saddlers.Back in January 2011, Smith took charge of a Saddlers side nine points adrift of safety to Prenton Park to face this weekends opponents Tranmere Rovers. The Saddlers emerged with a three-all draw thanks to club captain Andy Butler’s stoppage-time equaliser.
Since then the Saddlers have seen a seventeen game winless run, another successful battle against relegation and a rise to the top half of the table, culminating in last seasons unsuccessful push for the play-offs.
Walsall are currently seventh in Sky Bet League one, just one point and place below the play-off places.
Whilst this Saturday marks an important milestone in his managerial career Smith is keen to look to the future, speaking to the Express & Star, Smith said; "I think you have to look ahead for the club. You have to be ahead of the game and you have to keep progressing. We never lose sight of the next match, but you have to plan for the future.
He continued; "Over the last 12 months I have been able to really start planning and looking at the team for next season already. That is a credit to the chairman and the board."