Walsall have gone some eight league games without a win and, based on current form, are in the midst of yet another season of struggle, this, despite Head Coach Michael Flynn overseeing a major squad overhaul in the summer.
Signing a mixture of youth and experience, we all had high hopes for the 2022/23 campaign, with the usual 'HMS Piss the League' memes adorning social media accounts across the borough.
However, after seeing their team continue to struggle to put together anything resembling a positive run of form, the doom and gloom has well and truly returned. And it's not hard to see why.
Signing a mixture of youth and experience, we all had high hopes for the 2022/23 campaign, with the usual 'HMS Piss the League' memes adorning social media accounts across the borough.
However, after seeing their team continue to struggle to put together anything resembling a positive run of form, the doom and gloom has well and truly returned. And it's not hard to see why.
From calls for manager sackings to mass boardroom resignations, the fans' patience is once again being tested and, unless the team is able to not only return to winning ways but also sustain a run of victories, we can only see things getting worse.
Ups and downs are nothing new to Saddlers fans. From famous nights against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool to an FA Cup exit at the hands of Slough and everything in between, we've all got stories to tell and battle scars to show, but this latest low ebb somehow feels different.
Following years of stagnation under the previous ownership, we finally seemed to be on the edge of history. Free from the shackles of someone who lacked the desire to push the club towards what it has always had the potential to be and in to the seemingly safe hands of a group which, whilst clearly sensing there is money to be made, had all the hallmarks of a safe pair of hands.
Whilst there have been plenty of positives since the Trivela Group rolled into town, the backing of the newly-minted Walsall FC Foundation, the aforementioned squad overhaul, and the prospect of reuniting the club with its current home being just a few, we're more than a little concerned about the current state of affairs.
As with all other crises the club has been through, communication between club and supporter has become strained with the social media accounts seeking to ignore the issues with the usual ticket news and energy drink advertisements mixed in with the odd positive-spinning interview which, though welcome, do little to change the fact that the players need to find their feet, and soon.
With ten games already played, there is little room for more of the same and, unless things really do turn a somewhat unexpected corner, we can only see one outcome with yet another change at the helm and all the turmoil which that entails.
We're not joining the increasing ranks of fans calling for change, and firmly believe that Michael Flynn deserves an opportunity to turn things around. But, we are also aware that time is quickly running out and, as such, the gaffer needs to show better leadership.
Instead of playing the post-match blame game, we hope to see real change, be that with a formation better suited to the players he selects, or an overhaul of who takes to the field in the first place, something has got to give.
Whilst it's clear injuries have played a major role in the lack of progress, that isn't an excuse which can be used a something of a shield to deflect from the criticism which is rightfully landing at the feet of all in WS1.
With new weekends comes new opportunities and, as we make the trip to Edgeley Park to take on Stockport County this on Saturday afternoon, we remain hopeful of a return to winning ways and at least the first step on the long road to recovery.
Following years of stagnation under the previous ownership, we finally seemed to be on the edge of history. Free from the shackles of someone who lacked the desire to push the club towards what it has always had the potential to be and in to the seemingly safe hands of a group which, whilst clearly sensing there is money to be made, had all the hallmarks of a safe pair of hands.
Whilst there have been plenty of positives since the Trivela Group rolled into town, the backing of the newly-minted Walsall FC Foundation, the aforementioned squad overhaul, and the prospect of reuniting the club with its current home being just a few, we're more than a little concerned about the current state of affairs.
As with all other crises the club has been through, communication between club and supporter has become strained with the social media accounts seeking to ignore the issues with the usual ticket news and energy drink advertisements mixed in with the odd positive-spinning interview which, though welcome, do little to change the fact that the players need to find their feet, and soon.
With ten games already played, there is little room for more of the same and, unless things really do turn a somewhat unexpected corner, we can only see one outcome with yet another change at the helm and all the turmoil which that entails.
We're not joining the increasing ranks of fans calling for change, and firmly believe that Michael Flynn deserves an opportunity to turn things around. But, we are also aware that time is quickly running out and, as such, the gaffer needs to show better leadership.
Instead of playing the post-match blame game, we hope to see real change, be that with a formation better suited to the players he selects, or an overhaul of who takes to the field in the first place, something has got to give.
Whilst it's clear injuries have played a major role in the lack of progress, that isn't an excuse which can be used a something of a shield to deflect from the criticism which is rightfully landing at the feet of all in WS1.
With new weekends comes new opportunities and, as we make the trip to Edgeley Park to take on Stockport County this on Saturday afternoon, we remain hopeful of a return to winning ways and at least the first step on the long road to recovery.