Walsall are hoping to improve on their disappointing record of one point from the last two home games when they entertain Huddersfield Town at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday (3pm). A draw with bottom-of-the-table Cheltenham was followed by a single goal defeat by Tran-mere Rovers in front of the Bescot faithful, but fortunately Monday's 2-1 win at Stockport County lifted the team to 11th spot in the Coca Cola League One table. Huddersfield, just above the Saddlers, still have a slight mathematical chance of making the play-offs so, they will be hoping to become the third team in a month to complete the double over Walsall. The Easter Monday win at Stockport - also a double -provided an interesting statistic. Before then Walsall had collected 24 points from the 18 games since Chris Hutchings became manager, exactly the same haul as sacked boss Jimmy Mullen had amassed from his last 18 matches in charge. In that spell under Mullen the Saddlers had won seven, drawn three and lost eight. With Hutchings and Martin O'Connor in control the record to last Saturday was won six, drawn six and lost six. But the win at Stockport means Hutchings has moved ahead with 27 points from 19 games, compared with Mullen's 24 points. However, those statistics do not tell the full story. Hutchings has had to cope with a number of injuries to key players, plus the five-match suspension of top-scorer Michael Ricketts, and for whatever reason he couldn't bring in suitable men on loan. That's why supporters are eagerly waiting for this failed season to end. They want to see the quality of players Hutchings and O'Connor will bring in to offer any genuine chance of a promotion challenge starting next August. Walsall scraped the win at Stockport thanks to the Hatters missing a penalty then conceding a late own goal, but the result couldn't disguise the fact that the team needs considerable strengthening in the summer. They require a full-back, central defender, a couple of midfield men, a winger and at least one striker. But much will depend on how many of the current squad are offered new contracts. No fewer than 13 players are waiting anxiously to see if they are wanted. First choice goalkeeper Clayton Ince, who has missed the last four games through international duty then a family bereavement, should be back in the UK in time for tomorrow's game, but Rene Gilmartin has done well enough in his absence to hang onto the jersey. After the Huddersfield game, Walsall make their first visit to the new MK Dons stadium before closing the season with a home game against Oldham Athletic. No doubt there will be a big following of Saddlers' fans to experience the stadium, hoping to see the lads get the win in front of a big crowd that could deny the Milton Keynes outfit automatic promotion to the Championship. Wouldn't the visiting supporters love that. The Walsall team tomorrow will be selected from: Gilmartin, Ince, Weston, Smith, Gerrard, Palmer, Boertien, Nicholls, Mattis, Hughes, Zaaboub, Ricketts, Ibehre, Deeney, Taundry, Bradley, Davies. * Walsall reserves are at home to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night. Kick-off at the Banks's Stadium is 7pm. | 
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