Express & Star

Joe Edwards pleads with fans: Get behind Walsall

Captain Joe Edwards has issued a rallying call to Walsall fans ahead of their crunch relegation six-pointer with Bradford.

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The Saddlers host David Hopkins’s side at the Banks’ Stadium this afternoon in what could be a season-defining game for both sides. Currently, on a run that has seen them win just once in 13 outings, Dean Keates’ men know they will be in League Two next season if they don’t stop the rot.

Bradford, meanwhile, are also starring relegation in the face with the visitors currently sat second-bottom in the table.

And Edwards believes Walsall’s fans have a major role to play in helping the team pick up three crucial points today.

“It’s a massive game for everyone,” the midfielder said. “The fans care so much about the club and so do the players and the management.

“We all care about the football club. If we can all come together as one then it will be a massive lift for everyone.

“Listen they are entitled to their opinion and I can imagine it has been frustrating watching us at times.

“But I don’t think they realise how much we appreciate their support going into a game.

“If we can get that atmosphere like the Northampton game last year it will give us all that extra five or 10 per cent and it will be a massive help for us.

“Everyone is fighting for the same thing. They want Walsall to do well, we want Walsall to do well.

“We want the fans to have a good Saturday night and a good weekend and if everyone pulls together then I am sure we can do that.”

Edwards is no stranger to the highs and lows of football with the 28-year-old having won promotion with Yeovil but tasted relegation at Colchester.

The midfielder is adamant though Walsall have enough to stay up.

“Everyone is here because they are good players,” he continued.

“The year that I got promoted with Yeovil, it was nowhere near the best squad I have been in technically but what you had was a togetherness and a will to win.

“You can see that here but it hasn’t come through on a consistent basis.

“But seeing it and knowing that we have got it has really given me faith, we just need everyone to believe in themselves.

“We have to believe in what we are doing and come together as an 11. If we have eight, nine or 10 of us performing to our maximum then we will win the game.”