Nicholls believes Saddlers still have a lot to play for in the run-in

ALEX Nicholls admits he and several other Walsall stars are playing for their futures as they embark on an otherwise pressure-free run-in.

Chris Hutchings' side would require a miraculous run to break into the play-off spots and would need a downturn of similar proportions to be dragged into trouble at the other end of the table.

All of which, you would think, leaves them with little to play for as they head to Leyton Orient this weekend.

But Nicholls (pictured left), who scored the first goal as Walsall let slip a 2-0 lead to draw with Millwall in an entertaining encounter last Saturday, disagrees.

He said: "We've got to be realistic – it's going to take something special to make the play-offs now.

"But there are a lot of players who are out of contract and playing for their futures and I'm one of them.

"So I want to kick on and make the manager offer me a new contract.

"I feel that given a run in the team up front I've got a lot to offer."

Sloppy defending was Walsall's downfall yet again against the Lions with a Rene Gilmartin blunder to blame for letting Millwall back into the game. They went on to level in stoppage time.

Nicholls added: "We've been masters of our own downfall at times this season and it's something that's been highlighted in the dressing room – sloppy goals and the fact the opposition don't give us goals like that.

"It's something we have to work on and eradicate from our game."