Walsall may be staring relegation in the face but manager Kevan Broadhurst's demeanour is as positive as it has been during his short tenure at the Bescot Stadium.
Broadhurst has been visibly more relaxed during Walsall's last three performances, despite the fact they have only gleaned a solitary point.
The Saddlers have plummeted to the foot of League One with only three games remaining and, on current form, are racing certainties to be relegated.
Nevertheless Broadhurst, whose own position is far from secure, has witnessed the green shoots of recovery and can finally see his plans being implemented by his charges.
There is no lack of enthusiasm on Broadhurst's behalf, either, as he undertook the long trip to Huddersfield last night to run the rule over Saturday's opponents.
"You have got to do this job in the correct manner, as it is the only way I know," said Broadhurst from his carphone on the M1.
"I don't know what is happening at the end of the season, but it is important that everyone stays fully focused on their jobs.
"We played very well at Doncaster and had a couple of great chances. Andy Oakes has held his hand up for their goal, but I have got to take a lot of positives from another decent performance.
"We deserved a point against Bournemouth, while the draw with Port Vale was one of the most unjust results ever.
"What tends to happen is that if we miss a couple of opportunities, we lose confidence, but I have been pleased with our last three performances."
Nevertheless, Broadhurst is fully aware that the minimum points target for their final three games is nine.
With MK Dons, Swindon and Rotherham all collecting three points on Monday, the relegation trapdoor opened wider for the Saddlers.
Fixtures against Huddersfield, Gillingham and Barnsley will fill even the most optimistic Walsall fan with trepidation but Broadhurst is convinced that the air of inevitability can work in his side's favour.
"For whatever reason, we have started to play better in the last three games," he said. "The pressure is off us now, as three wins might not be enough for us anyway.
"The players can relax and play with a relative amount of freedom, as we can't keep relying on other results."
Ian Roper is set to come back into contention on Saturday after recovering from a migraine that prevented him from travelling to Doncaster.
Simon Osborn will also be available but there is still a major doubt over the fitness of Kevin James.
