How Walsall's historic season so far compares to League Two greats of the past
Walsall boast a 12-point cushion at the League Two summit after storming to a club record nine league wins on the spin.
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Mat Sadler has guided Walsall to their best league campaign so far since the Division Four title-winning team of 1959-60.
The Saddlers have accumulated 58 points from the first 25 games, with no other team in English football collecting more this season.
But how do Walsall compare to the table toppers of the past? Here is a list of those with the highest points total after 25 games in the past two decades.
5. Rochdale - 54 (in 2009/10)
Rochdale sat five points clear of AFC Bournemouth in second spot after stretching their unbeaten run to 11 games with a goalless stalemate against Port Vale at Spotland in January 2010.
The Dale's lethal front pairing of Chris O'Grady and Chris Dagnall netted a combined 42 goals, while Craig Dawson, now at Wolves and formerly of West Brom, weighed in with 11 from defence.
Chris Dunphy's men remained four points clear at the summit by the end of March but fell to seven defeats in their final nine games.
Notts County went on to lift the title with 93 points, as Rochdale slipped to third, although they still secured automatic promotion by a 10-point margin.
Final points total: 82
4. Forest Green Rovers - 55 (in 2021-22)
Forest Green moved seven points clear at the League Two summit after stretching their unbeaten run to 14 games with a 3-0 home success over Carlisle United in January 2022.
That run would end at 19 games following a 1-0 defeat against Walsall at the New Lawn as Forest Green suffered a few bumps on their road to the title under Rob Edwards.
Leading scorer Matty Stevens, who spent the second half of the follow campaign at Bescot, would miss the tail end of the season after suffering an ACL injury.
Stevens had scored 23 times for Rovers while his partner and current Saddlers marksman Jamille Matt scored 19 himself. A goalless draw at Bristol Rovers guaranteed automatic promotion with three games to spare.
They were eventually crowned champions on goal difference after a 2-2 draw at Mansfield Town on the final day saw them pip Exeter City to the post.
Final points total: 84
3. Leyton Orient - 56 (in 2022-23)
Leyton Orient's title success under Richie Wellens was built on strong defensive foundations, with goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux easing to the League Two golden glove with an impressive 24 clean sheets.
The O's occupied top spot in 42 of the 46 match days and would not relinquish their place at the league summit from match day 14 onwards.
They had achieved automatic promotion with four games to spare despite falling to a rare defeat at Gillingham and decided the title later that week with a 2-0 home success over Crewe Alexandra.
Final points total: 91
2. MK Dons - 57 (in 2007-08)
MK Dons, managed by former Manchester United, Liverpool and England midfielder Paul Ince, climbed into top spot in September and stayed there for the rest of the season.
The Dons finished the campaign with an 18-match unbeaten run, winning 11 in the process, to finish on 97 points, five ahead of eventual runners-up Peterborough United.
Former Walsall midfielder Mark Wright finished as their leading scorer with 13, while Keith Andrews, Lloyd Dyer and Aaron Wilbraham, also reached double figures for goals.
Final points total: 97
1. Walsall - 58 (2024-25)
Yes, that's right, no team has amassed more points at this stage of a League Two season than Sadler's table topping Walsall since the league was rebranded in 2004.
They have averaged 2.32 points per game in League Two and are projected to finish the campaign with a record 107 points if they maintain that record throughout the remainder of the campaign.
