Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoken to the club's official website ahead of this afternoon's Sky Bet League 1 clash with Swindon Town, and has discussed his delight at the club's recent run of form, which has seen them remain unbeaten for seven league games.
Speaking to Saddlers.co.uk, Smith said; "I've always enjoyed Boxing Day fixtures; they have a special atmosphere all of their own and Friday’s game has all the ingredients to be an entertaining and keenly-contested encounter.
"Our visitors are flying high in the League One table, a position they have achieved by playing some attractive football. We are well aware of their strengths and we are relishing the challenge that stands before us as we look to extend our unbeaten League run.
"The most pleasing thing is that the lads want to take responsibility and are thriving on it. There’s good competition for a shirt and this is bringing the best out of us.
"We’ve got some talented young players here alongside the more established mainstays of the side who are leading by example.
"It’s a formula that is serving us well and seeing us steadily climb up the table. We’ve always had that belief in our ability and now we are also getting the consistency.
"This is always a key time of the year with the fixtures coming thick and fast. These next two games see us come up against two of the top three, so it will give us a good gauge of where we’re at right now as we look forward to what 2015 holds in store."
SOURCE SADDLERS .CO.UK