Saddlers Social: Andreas Makris finally off the mark for Walsall

Nick Etheridge

With the season being over, high up on everyone's wish list would have been a goal for Andreas Makris.

You could see the relief spread wide across his face, but the best part for me was the reaction of the rest of team.

I did have a slight worry that he may not come out of that huddle alive! Taking the goal out of the equation, he led the line really well.

He won headers that he had absolutely no right to, worked hard putting the opposition under pressure and laid on chances for others who were better placed, most notably Kieron Morris.

Equally impressive was Franck Moussa, who now seems to be realising that he's playing for another contract and has given us another option when Erhun Oztumer is missing.

Back to Makris and surprisingly the man who may benefit the most from his upturn in form is Amadou Bakayoko.

It might just give him the kick up the backside that he needs to find some consistent form.

Dan Gilbert

Oh Andy Makris, you are the love of my life.

The only good thing to come out of Saturday was the Cypriot grabbing his first goal for the club and you can tell every Walsall fan in the ground was absolutely delighted for him.

We all know he has potential and we all know that we need to be patient and not expect too much too soon.

We can all see that he has been steadily improving with each game and we all know he can go and improve further and build on that first goal.

Those are some of the words Whitney should have said instead of saying we have criticised him.

It's alright though Jon, I'll say it for you!

Kevin Paddock

So another game and another inept performance from our "manager."

Let's get this right, two weeks ago he wanted to use these games to start planning for next season. So he continues to play a goalkeeper that's not staying, two loanee defenders and his substitutions included another loanee.

Why? Tobias Hayles-Docherty should have been given his debut from the bench rather than George Dobson and Mitch Candlin should have come on instead of Simeon Jackson.

Jackson we know will be offside 10 times during the game so let's see what the youngster can bring.

It was great to see Andreas Makris get his first goal for the club and silence the...well no one because every fan has been backing him despite what Whitney said about fans criticising him.

As you can tell Whitney continues to annoy me and you can't take what he says seriously so no wonder our performances are so hit and miss.

Richard Kendrick

I'd love to say I saw Andreas Makris score his first Walsall goal.....but I can't (thanks, work). Now I'll feel like a fraud wearing my "I was there when Makris scored" t-shirt.

Sure, no-one would know, but I'd feel dishonest. I haven't seen the goal yet, but in my imagination the whole crowd surged onto the pitch to embrace him, carrying him aloft like a cult hero, while the ref tried to get the game restarted.

I don't know who was more relieved when he scored; the fans or the player himself.

Hopefully now that monkey is off his back and the fans are back off the pitch, we can see a bit more of his potential. Well done Andreas!

Pete Green

Whilst listening to Talksport during my daily commute from work, presenter and Peterborough United fan Adrian Durham made the point that all you need to get out of League One is a pretty average squad with a prolific striker.

On reflection, and looking at sides we have played this season, he may have a valid point.

The standard has not been particularly high, with already promoted Sheffield United not looking anything special, but the top six all do have that clinical striker in their ranks, something which we have not had since the departure of Tom Bradshaw.

Although Saturday's draw to Oxford had somewhat of an end of season feel to it, there is a lot to be optimistic about .

On paper, we certainly have much more than an average League One squad and with the likes of Erhun Oztumer and Ama Bakayoko hopefully building on their first season successes.

And now Makris has finally got off the mark, we can hopefully find that clinical edge in front of goal that we will certainly need if we are going to challenge next season.