As we enter the final couple of months in the 2013/14 Sky Bet League One season, Walsall Football Club find themselves on the outskirts of the play-off places, and following a poor run of results, looking unlikely to break into them before the end of the campaign.Since his appointment in January 2011 manager Dean Smith has embarked upon a long-term project at the club, with the implementation of a ‘football philosophy’ that is centred around a fluid, passing style of play, which in-turn creates goal scoring opportunities and enables the team to control the flow of games, this has also proven to be a popular move with supporters, who have christened the style "Sexy Football".
Along with the appointment of Richard O'Kelly as first-team coach, Neil Cutler as goalkeeping coach and the ever increasing role of head physio Jon Whitney, the team has continued to grow into a cohesive unit, that is almost completely unrecognisable from the side it started out as.
Another major part in the clubs growth can be attributed to the Performance and Analysis department which has proven invaluable to the squad, from the tactical targeting of players to the direction of an opposition players penalties, something that has worked in the favour of 'keeper Richard O'Donnell this season.
In several recent interviews Dean Smith has been keen to point out the positives, often in defeat. It must be noted, the team and its new tactical shape, is still in it's infancy, the drive to change the whole D.N.A of the club is a long term process that, despite the rapid improvement in fortunes, is not yet complete.
As shown in the latest football betting at Sky Bet, despite a string of poor results, the Saddlers remain within a chance of making the Sky Bet League One playoff places.
However, if promotion isn't achieved this season, the club must continue to build on the progress that has been made, this should include extending the contracts of core squad members like Andy Butler, Ben Purkiss, and Andy Taylor, and the continuation of the training ground improvements which is already baring fruit, especially in the centre of excellence, which is continuing to produce a high standard of scholar, many of whom are on the cusp of first-team football, and could come in very handy in the wake of the planned Financial Fair Play initiative.
Regardless of the final result of the 2013/14 season, the very fact that many supporters are disappointed with a top half finish amplifies the fact that the club have made great strives towards a better future, and long may it continue.