Not a great performance, very poor defensively - however we had yet more moments of individual quality to secure a point.

A couple of noticable differences though, from the kick off we wanted to play at least some football on the deck. Within 20 seconds Walsall had two shots on goal and should have scored, we didn't do our usual ball back to keeper and hoof, instead went back to Foran who made a mistake and let them in.

This continued although Foran and Hartley were often aimlessly giving the ball away. Jennings looked useful when offering an option to feet for the CBs to play to.

We had a few occasions where we were 3 vs 3 on our goal kicks, Fergy pushed up high along with Jennings and Hamilton to be marked by 3 Walsall players (Kemp, Sylla, Featherstone all dropped deep to receive the bakl to feet, so big gap between our midfield and them 3) but some poor kicking by the keeper and (at times) ineffective strike partnership meant we didn't capitalise.

Dolan made a difference from a footballing perspective. His first touch was controlling a long ball from Walsall and playing a 5 yard pass into midfield. Hartley would have booted it anywhere.

Dolan made a poor mistake, gifting a simple pass to Walsall that was dangerous but it will take time to transition back to playing football on the deck which is clearly what Askey wants.

Offensively we were actually much better, we got in behind and in dangerous positions more than once. Two penalties, Featherstone should have had a third pen plus Kiernan and Kemp got into really good crossing positions.

Walsall are not an awful team, Newport and Crewe who both beat us were. Flynn isn't happy as they made mistakes, but thats cause we were playing good balls in the box that didn't come from an aimless hoof - it put them under pressure and as we know every league two player has a mistake in them.

Hopefully we can transition quickly to playing football, this will happen much quicker with players like Sterry, Cooke, Crawford, Umerah, Dodds and this one may be contraversial as he is slow - Dolan all back in the starting 11.

A full strength side, with these players, could actually be entertaining.

Thanks for that. I really enjoyed your analysis.

Good read that, like.

yes, and the last sentance means everything. a full strength side which is something i do not think we have ever had this season.

Dolan and Featherstone are both very slow and can't play in the same midfield but at the minute I'd be playing Dolan in there ahead of Featherstone, he has been awful of late and really is offering us nothing at all. We would have a fighting chance with a full squad for once. There were definitely early early signs of a change in style but it's going to take some time. For most of the game we were losing battles all over the pitch as usual and most teams seem to have generally stronger players than us so we do need to try keeping the ball down and moving it quickly.

Dolan doesn't get in a midfield 3 of Sylla, Cooke, Crawford, Kemp or Kiernan all ahead of him.

I'd prefer Dolan CB but lets see what the new gaffer thinks.

I've no idea when Cooke, Crawford or for that matter Lacey are supposed to be ready to resume training, let alone get match fit.

Cooke has 'only' been out since the beginning of the year. Lacey and Crawford haven't played since October. It's hard to see any of them starting a game before the end of next month at best.

Wouldn't it be nice if we got the occasional update? Shouldn't journalists be asking questions on these types of subjects?

I don’t think there is anyone to ask at Pools, we never hear from Alex Chandy the Media Manager, all interviews are carried out by BBC Tees.

The first half made me yawn but the last 10 minutes was worth the admission fee.
NSD