Barry Fry might seem like a strange role model for a football manager, but Walsall player-boss Paul Merson says he would be happy to emulate Fry's career.

The charismatic 60-yearold owns and manages League One club Peterborough United, who host Walsall tomorrow. But Fry is retiring at the end of the season after 31 years in management following stints in charge of Dunstable Town, Bedford, Barnet, Southend and Birmingham City.

Fry wants £600,000 for his stake in the London Road club to sell up and enjoy his dotage after a colourful management career outside the top-flight.

However, despite Fry listing his best achievements as winning the Autoglass Trophy final with Blues and taking Barnet into the Football League, Merson says he admires Fry enormously.

"I wouldn't mind having a career like his in management," said Merson, who knows a win for the visitors tomorrow will relegate Posh.

"I know his career has been a bit up-and-down but he has managed a big club like Birmingham.

"He is a character, he tells you how it is. He wears his heart on his sleeve and you see that when he runs up and down the touchline.

"I like him but, from what I have read, the Peterborough fans want him out. I think it is a shame because I think he is great. They could be relegated on Saturday which would be sad, but we have to think about what is best for us and we need the points to be safe ourselves."

Merson will be on the bench near Fry tomorrow, as the Walsall player-manager intends to name an unchanged XI following the Saddlers' 2-1 victory at Swindon last Saturday.

And the 37-year-old playermanager says that as long as Walsall are performing well, he is happy to leave himself out.

He added: "At the start of the season when you are mentally fresh, it is okay to manage the team and play; at this stage of the season, when you are tired, it is hard work.

"I get more enjoyment out of a win when I don't play and that's the pleasing thing - we can win without me. Watching makes you study the game more."

Meanwhile, Merson, who will be without the suspended Mark Kinsella tomorrow, praised striker Julian Joachim, on loan from Leeds United.

Joachim, who has a year left on his contract at Elland Road, has scored two goals in four starts since joining Walsall last month but Merson says he could not afford to keep him permanently.

He said: "Julian is a top player, he is way above anything in this league. If he was here six months ago, we might not be down the bottom of the table.

"But I haven't sat down and talked to him about his future because he is out of our league and would cost too much. I will have to try to get someone with real pace to replace him."