Walsall boss Mat Sadler says his side are “exactly where they want to be”, despite a barren run of 12 league matches without a win.
Monday lunchtime’s goalless draw at 10-man Newport County means Walsall have now picked up just eight points from a potential 36 on offer in a dramatic collapse which has seen them go from League Two champions-elect to sitting a point outside the promotion places with two matches of the season left.
“We’re in the mix at the end of the season,” Sadler told BBC Radio West Midlands.
“It’s probably been a backwards, upside-down way of doing it, but we’re exactly where we want to be in terms of the mix for those promotion places.
“It feels like the lads are taking knock after knock at the moment. I think we just need to remind everybody of that bit of perspective of what we’re fighting for.
“That’s something we need to focus on and remind ourselves of.”
The Saddlers had 65% of possession against Newport at a sun-kissed Rodney Parade and saw a goal 11 minutes into stoppage time from Oisin McEntee agonisingly ruled out for handball.
And despite admitting McEntee’s disallowed goal provided a “bitter taste in the mouth”, Sadler remains positive about his side’s recent performances.
“The performance was just missing that moment and goal which was richly deserved in my opinion,” he added.
“We’ve got a group of guys that are giving everything all the time – through good, through bad, they give absolutely everything.
“We just have to make sure we’re ready for the Saturday game at home.”
Walsall will hope they can finally break their winless duck, which stretches back to 22 February, when they take on Accrington Stanley at the Poundland Bescot Stadium before finishing their campaign at Crewe Alexandra on 3 May.
“I think we’ll all agree that there are going to be so, so many twists and turns still to come, and I don’t think we should expect any less from how League Two has shaped up so far this season.
“[There is] plenty still to play for, loads more ups, downs, twists and turns still to go.”