Paul Merson backing Walsall to escape

Paul Merson today backed Dean Smith to keep Walsall up and insisted survival would be a "major feat".

The former Saddlers boss and Villa midfielder reckons they can beat the League One drop against the odds.

Merson managed the Saddlers between 2004 and 2006 and knows the financial constraints current manager Smith is working under.

And the ex-England man insisted Smith, who guided the Saddlers to safety last season, can repeat the success.

"I hope they can avoid the drop and it is going to be tough for them to do so, but Dean Smith is a good football man and can pull it off," said Merson, who made 84 appearances for the Saddlers before his ill-fated managerial spell.

"They do things on a shoestring which is hard in League One. They probably have one of the lowest wage bills so if they stay up it's a major feat.

"It is very difficult from a financial perspective. Some clubs will pay two grand a week to players and if you can offer more like £200 or £300 you are not entitled to beat any of those teams. I hope they stay up because they are a League One team with a lot of potential and great fans."

See also:

• Saddlers stars are finding it’s good to talk

• Dean has no bone to pick with Orient

• Manny Smith hit with £1,200 fine