Analysis of Walsall 3 Exeter 0

The 'C' word blights the Banks's Stadium and indeed stadia around the country when Walsall come-a-calling. It has been the bane of the Saddlers in past seasons and they know it. Spoken about with frequency by players and management, it is their holy grail.

So far it has been out of reach and back-to-back wins have not been achieved since last March to leave the Saddlers, for the most part, treading water in mid-table.

Any degree of it and the Saddlers would not have had to settle for a mediocre finish last season. If fans hear a soundbite or read a story referring to it without the club following up their words, then they will only become further infuriated.

That 'C' word, just in case anyone is still left wondering is, of course, consistency. It is the buzz word around Essington and the Banks's, banded around like foreign currency – the players know its value but haven't quite grasped how to spend it.

The talk is tiresome and it's time to make good on the fighting promises after an intriguing win over 10-man Exeter on Saturday.

The game summed up the Saddlers in one neat 90 minute example. What they are and what they could be.

Frailties were exposed in the opening 25 minutes as a surprisingly confident Exeter went about their duties with a degree of efficiency.

Had it been a ruthless efficiency then the Saddlers could well have suffered more home heartache but, as it was, the Grecians could not turn their territorial advantage into goals.

But Walsall are a work in progress. With a budget incomparable to the recognised promotion-chasing sides nothing can be achieved in just a few months. Had the Saddlers not conceded that late leveller against Carlisle two weeks ago they would be level on points with sixth-placed Norwich.

As it stands they are two points off the play-offs – not so bad when everything is taken into account – but to make that leap they need a bit extra. A couple of quality additions would push them to the head of the 'also-rans' queue who are waiting to pounce on the top six.

Southend, Huddersfield, Millwall and Swindon all have more readies available and any challenge would rely on boss Chris Hutchings' ability to find a gem or two. He has the personnel to keep within touching distance but, for a concerted challenge, bodies are needed.

A couple of injuries and the squad is stretched to the limit. Clayton McDonald and now goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin have both gone down in recent weeks to highlight the squad's frailty. Colchester await this Saturday with an imposing nine-game unbeaten run to protect.

United are firmly entrenched in the top six so again it is a barometer to compare the Saddlers' play-off credentials by. Victory, which would be the first against one of the pacesetters this season, would send out a signal that they cannot be written off – certainly after a gritty if unspectacular win over Exeter.

The result owed much to a match-winning performance from Steve Jones. The winger has not found his feet at the Banks's after injuries and off-field worries hampered the start of his Saddlers career.

But the winger proved on Saturday what a potent weapon he can be. He was outstanding from the moment he rammed home his 29th minute opener.

A stunning low drive put the Saddlers 2-0 up in a first half in which they struggled. Having played the majority of his career in the Championship, he has the nous and experience to be a key figure in any push for promotion.

Boss Hutchings also deserves credit for switching to match Exeter's five-man midfield when, in the opening half an hour, the Saddlers were second best and overrun by the enthusiastic visitors. The Grecians were eager to erase their 4-0 defeat at Huddersfield in their last outing and started in the right way as they dominated.

Ryan Harley tested Gilmartin with long-range efforts – the second bringing an excellent fingertip save from the Irishman – as the visitors impressed.

The Saddlers simply did not get out of the traps and could not match the Grecians' desire and determination. Mark Bradley and Dwayne Mattis offered little protection to the defence and the strikers were isolated.

The central area is a concern but they gained a foothold after their mid-half shuffle and once Jones netted his first the hosts did not look back. The 32-year-old slammed home after Troy Deeney dummied Darren Byfield's cross, who then shot wide two minutes later.

Walsall had found their stride, but Gilmartin limped out with a hamstring injury five minutes before they doubled their advantage in first half injury time.

Jones picked up the ball from deep and strode forward before unleashing a rasping low drive which flew into goalkeeper Andy Marriott's bottom corner.

Richard Duffy headed Jones' goalbound effort off the line before self-destructing on 67 minutes. The defender, already on a yellow, stupidly bodychecked Byfield and did not even wait for the inevitable red.

To emphasis the Saddlers' luck, the suspiciously offside Deeney raced through after a kind deflection to bag his fourth of the season 20 minutes from time. Now it's time to stop talking about the 'C' word and finally find some consistency.

By Nick Mashiter