Saddlers supporters set to unite in protest

The Saddlers, who are currently four points from safety with two games to play, will be down if they lose at home to Peterborough today, or if they win and results elsewhere go against them.

With Walsall operating on one of the lowest budgets in the division, fans have long accused Bonser of lacking the ambition that’s needed to be successful.

And after a dreadful campaign on the field, fans are set to show their frustrations in the stands today by turning their backs on the action in the 18th minute and leaving in the 88th.

Further protests are planned for the trip to Shrewsbury next weekend.

Minutes 18 and 88 have been chosen because Walsall were founded – as Walsall Town Swifts – in 1888.

Fan Greg Oxley said: “The idea of fans turning their backs on the pitch is two-fold.

"On the one hand we are showing our frustration at the current crop of players who have lacked passion, commitment and tactical awareness for most of the season.

"But it is primarily a demonstration of the fan’s anger and apathy towards what we believe is a stagnant regime which is running this football club into the ground.”

Meanwhile, the odds on Keith Hill taking over as Walsall boss have again been shortened.

The 49-year-old, who was sacked by Rochdale earlier this season after six years in charge, saw his odds tumble from 25/1 into 7/4 last week.

But he is now odds on with a host of bookmakers with his price having fallen as short as 4/6 on.

It means Hill is now the outright favourite to be Walsall’s new manager with caretaker boss Martin O’Connor second in the betting and Motherwell’s Steve Robinson third.

Paul Hurst, Chris Powell and Darrell Clarke are amongst the other managers still in the market.