Every match will be tough, warns Evina

Cedric Evina: tough games in prospect

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WALSALL manager Dean Smith has performed superbly to give the Saddlers a major chance of avoiding the drop to npower League Two.

On taking the job — initially as caretaker after the sacking of Chris Hutchings — his side were eight points adrift of safety and apparently doomed.

But a renaissance has taken place. Built on an attacking style of play, in which well-travelled pair Jon Macken and Julian Gray are the spearheads, Walsall have produced some very impressive results.

At the start of last month, Southampton were seen off 1-0 at the Bescot Stadium.

Since then the team's form has been up and down, but prior to Notts County's midweek win at Tranmere enough points had been gained to see the Saddlers escaping the bottom-four.

As well as in tomorrow's game against Sheffield Wednesday and Monday's trip to Boundary Park (3pm kick-off), Smith's men will be targeting maximum points from their penultimate match at home to Charlton in order to try to secure safety before the final match of the season — a trip to take on promotion-chasing Saints at the St Mary's Stadium.

Athletic left-back Cedric Evina knows that the Walsall fixture, as well as the match at Swindon on Saturday week and the last-day home game against MK Dons, represents a tough proposition.

"Walsall will be wanting points and in every game we play now there will be teams wanting to either finish higher or avoid relegation," Evina said.

"We have got to make sure we are professional in the performances we put out."

Evina's own post-summer future is yet to be decided, though he hinted he would like to remain with Athletic if terms can be agreed.

"I need to sit down with the gaffer," he added. "We have spoken briefly about it, but I need to sit down with him and my agent.

"I have enjoyed my time here. The manager is good, the players are great, so why not?"