Following their terrible results in January 1991, Walsall did much better in the February, unbeaten in the first four games where they didn’t concede before losing the final game of the month at Burnley.
The month’s opening goal saw a 1-0 win over Doncaster at Bescot Stadium where Saddlers produced their best performance of not only the season but indeed for a couple or three years. The players got a terrific ovation at the end-which was a milestone in itself. It was a performance of stunning quality. So at long last there was a chink of light for the long-suffering fans that maybe better times where around the corner. There may only have been one goal in it, scored by Chris Marsh who had taken over Stuart Rimmer’s shirt as he was injured, but there was a rare quality about the performance. Marsh could in fact have scored a hat trick.
The following Tuesday the team made the short trip to Edgar Street, Hereford, and picked up a precious point as they ground out a goal less draw on a icy surface which was better suited to Torville And Dean than the likes of Ntamark and Grealish but The Saddlers dug in and did the basics well enough will no frills to keep mistakes down to a bare minimum. The Walsall defence came under considerable pressure but Peter Skipper in particular was superb at the back. The closest Walsall came to scoring was when Rod Mc Donald skimmed the bar in the second half.
Because of the cold snap Walsall didn’t play again for ten days but it was worth the wait as Chesterfield were sent home from Bescot Stadium with a 3-0 defeat. The Spireites included new £30,000 signing Lee Turnbull who was in the Doncaster team at Bescot last game played there! Rod Mc Donald, Peter Skipper and Charlie Ntamark were the men on target as Walsall climbed into the top half of the table. Full credit to the groundstaff, club officials and YTS lads who spent hours getting the pitch ready breaking ice and shovelling snow.
The following Tuesday evening saw Lincoln City visit Bescot and again the all too familiar story of a goal less draw. It was such a drab affair to view as The Imps, who despite their lowly position, were determined to keep their six game unbeaten run going and threw a claustrophobic blanket over midfield and defence and with Saddlers inability to break the visitors down it was a non-event as far as football was concerned. The only chance fell to Stuart Rimmer who was back following being out injured for the last four games but he shot straight at keeper Bowling’s legs.
The month’s final game in February saw Saddlers go down 0-2 to Burnley at Turf Moor. There was no indication of what was to come before the interval as Walsall were superb for the first 45 minutes against the high-riding Clarets. In fact out of the two sides Walsall looked the more promotion candidates such was their play. Four minutes after the break it all changed, however. Neil Grewcock scored a tap in from a Roger Eli cross then six minutes before the end Eli himself slotted home. So Walsall ended the month in 13th spot with 39 points, five behind the play off pack.
Because of the worsening financial situation at the club, two players were ousted from the payroll. In the first part of the month, midfielder John Kelly, who couldn’t hold down a regular place under Kenny Hibbitt, was released and joined Huddersfield. Then, on the last day of the month, the Saddlers fans worse fears materialised when top goalscorer Stuart Rimmer was sold to Barnsley.
