Michael Beardmore

Senior sports journalist with @bbcsport. Walsall and New York Giants fan for my sins. Opinions my own.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@bensadler12 Promotion is the only word we're interested in. Had enough years in this godforsaken division.

[Vital Walsall @Vital_Walsall]

Here is the league table from 2026

5 wins in 2026
1 win at home
24 goals scored in 23 games
11 defeats

Concerning. Very concerning.

Empty words from the club. “We will learn” “incremental improvement”. Less talking lads and more action. They don’t have a clue at all. Shambles

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@adamguestwfc What if Braintree 0-26 Rochdale happens....?

[Tom Marlow @tommymarlow]

Very much felt like two points dropped, according to a disappointed Darren Byfield.

His thoughts on the draw, Loupalo-Bi’s first #Saddlers goal, Kanu starting on the bench and Uncle Albert’s century 👇

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@dazfellows Two incredibly avoidable goals. And managers will always say all goals are avoidable. But those two... jeez. Basically a repeat of last season Feb-May in that we are inventing new ways to concede goals.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

Don't get to write as much nowadays - usually editing etc - but was nice to shake off the cobwebs and pen this fun piece about QPR's clinical Saturday: the ruthless R's - 6 touches in the box, 6 goals. Quite the craziness! #EFL #QPR

https://t.co/yOinFLWXzT

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@CraigHollyhead @philburton_v2 The indisputable fact is we had by far the most successful period in our history under his stewardship. Graydon years, Championship years, hardly ever below third tier. And while I far from agree with everything he did - and there were definite lows - we've declined since he left

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

Don't often go really "full fan" hat on.
But since Boxing Day... P16 W2 D4 L10 in all comps.
10pts from a possible 42 in the league.
Abysmal.
Another season in danger of turning into nothing other than abject failure.
Answers needed @TrivelaGroup.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@philburton_v2 And I know Trivela have bought back the freehold etc so not like they've been terrible either. But what gets me is the notion - which seems to come from the top - we're now punching above our weight in League Two... In League One i could accept that but League Two?!

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@WFCOfficial RIP Scoop. A huge influence on the careers & work of many in the Walsall press ranks, myself very much included. Always had a story or a joke or a kind word, or all three. And was never afraid to ruffle a few feathers either. Top, top man who will be missed but never forgotten.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

Good in-depth piece on Saddlers' slump here, including analysis from the always-excellent Mike Taylor at BBC Radio WM.

Walsall: Another winter of discontent - What's gone wrong for Saddlers? - BBC Sport

(Not sure why link doesn't work - but just click on Walsall FC page on BBC)

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@adamguestwfc It's not even just this year, as bad as it is. Or even last year (shudder... although yes last year is a massive part of it... i mean come on how they bottled that still astounds me). Its 19 years of no promotions, no ambition.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@pieman80 It's more the cumulative effect... 19 years since our last promotion. On the odd occasion we've had the chance we've thrown it away. Lack of ambition seeps through the club. And now the football is mostly dire on top of all that.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

I get paid to attend Walsall games to write reports. A privilege, many would say. Used to be...
I dont have to pay to get in unless I choose to attend as a fan.
I've chosen to miss 5 of last 6 games incl tonight. Turned down money.
Am I a fickle fan? Or right to have had enough?

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@wfcjm The football was very good under Dean Smith in fairness for a couple or three years. But yes, 75% of the past 20 years since Dickie Dosh left has been poor at best.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@CraigHollyhead There were a lot of people who hammered Abedayo. And I was like, nah this kid has something. I'm not one to give up on a player at all but Pressley has some hard yards to make up

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

Very rare I will give up on a player... but I've given him 6 months and honestly, I have no idea what Pressley offers. Think he's had an half decent game or two but mostly been anonymous/ineffective/passenger for 90% of his minutes.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@CraigHollyhead He's just been woeful for me. Been bullied in the air so often. Poor hold up play. Just miles off basically in general. But yeah we'll see.

[Michael Beardmore @MickeyBeardmore]

@CraigHollyhead Fair comparison. And yes Pressley was less hopeless tonight than he's been for the most part. 6/10 maybe.