Date: 10th February 2016 at 3:04pm
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Walsall playmaker Romaine Sawyers is confident that the Saddlers are capable of finishing top of League One this season.

The West Midlands outfit are currently sitting second with 56 points from 29 games, and they’re just four points behind leaders Burton Albion.

Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Millwall last time out, Sawyers told Shoot that he still thinks his side are able to secure promotion to the Championship by finishing at the summit of England’s third tier.

“Personally, I think we can win the league. I think the team has the same mentality too. Burton are top at the moment but we all believe we can catch them for sure,” he said.

23rd September 2015 - Capital One Cup - Walsall v Chelsea - Romaine Sawyers of Walsall tries to weave through the Chelsea defence - Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Sawyers in action against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup earlier this season.

The Saddlers have only finished inside the top 10 in League One once in the last decade, but despite the club’s lack of experience of fighting for an automatic promotion spot, the 24-year-old says the atmosphere in the dressing room is still positive as we come to the business end of the season.

“Everyone is pushing in the same direction, everyone wants to get promoted and there is a real togetherness in the squad. We’re in a good place in terms of where we are in the league and, as I said, the togetherness of the team has really shone through the group this season.”

Sawyers has been in sparkling form for the team from the Bescot Stadium this term, and his contribution has been one of the main reasons for their lofty league position.

“I’m in the form of my life,” he revealed.

“I set some goals and targets at the start of the season with the then manager, Dean Smith, regarding my goals and assists. If I keep playing the same way, I’m on course to achieve those goals and I think it’s benefitted the team massive.”

10th October 2015 - Skybet League 1 - Walsall v Burton Albion - Walsall manager Dean Smith - Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Dean Smith left Walsall to join Brentford at the end of November.

Smith has since moved to Brentford, and the St. Kitts and Nevis International says he is enjoying life under new manger Sean O’Driscoll, who was appointed in December, and says the transiton has been seamless.

“Things haven’t changed massively, everything he has implemented so far the group have been able to take it on board and we’ve been able to fit straight into what he’s wanted us to do.”

Walsall have crunch games coming up against fellow high-flyers Burton and Wigan back-to-back before the end of February, but Sawyers stressed that all of their remaining matches are just as vital as the two against their current title rivals.

“I think every game is important, obviously with the stature of a club like Wigan, and with Burton being first, they are massive games. That said, we want to beat everyone, and we have Crewe this Saturday and its equally important for our momentum before going into the big double header. We have belief in ourselves to get three points in all three games and we look forward to them.”

Should Walsall win their next three games, they will no doubt be in a strong position to achieve Sawyers’ aim of becoming League One champions, and closer to securing a return to the second tier of English football for the first time since 2004.

 
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