Chris Marsh: Walsall must do better

Before that, it had looked like as though we had turned a corner with four wins in a row.

But that was a poor result and poor performance.

We're a quarter of the way through the season now and if you were putting together a school report it would read: 'must do better.'

And that goes for Clarke as well as all the players.

I think he was playing the wrong system at the start of the campaign. He didn't have the right personnel for three at the back.

But he has ditched that now and I think that is a positive move.

What I don't like, though, is when he says he needs more transfer windows to turn things around. I don't think that reflects well on him or the players.

Virtually every member of that squad was brought into the club by Clarke. And the players themselves need to appreciate just what a huge opportunity he has given them.

At Walsall you are always in the shop window. Play well and you will move up.

But if you don't do well – especially now we're in League Two – there are going to be very few offers from elsewhere.

I just don't want to see us or those players settling. For me, Walsall should never be a middle of the road League Two side.

It's time to deliver.

Also this week I just want to say how pleased I am that my good pal Dean Keates has got back into management at Wrexham.

In the end, it didn't work out for him when he returned to Walsall.

Sometimes that happens, a legend comes back but it's not to be.

Keatesy is a smashing bloke, though, and I know Walsall fans still love him because of the performances he put in as a player.

He will always be a Saddlers legend.

And I just hope he can now get Wrexham back on track.

He did a fantastic job when he was in charge there the first time.

Hopefully, given time, he'll be the man that eventually gets them back into the Football League.

Finally, I'm very sad to say that this will be my last column in the Express & Star.

I've absolutely loved doing it but work and family commitments mean I just haven't got the time.

It's the right time for me to go with reporter Joe Masi having moved on as well to cover Albion.

But, as always, I'll be keeping a close eye on events at Bescot.

I will always be a Saddler and Walsall are always the first result I look for.

Nobody wants to see them win promotion more than me.

So lets hope we turn things around and 2020 proves to be a very successful year.