Purkiss wants fans buzzing for Crewe visit

The Saddlers head into the game looking to extend a four-game unbeaten run in front of their own supporters.

Wins over Preston and Doncaster, together with the draw against Bristol City last time out, have arguably been the best performances of the season so far and players are conscious of an improved atmosphere in the stands.

And defender Purkiss is keen to see the Saddlers continue enjoying the home comforts which were frequently lacking last season, when they won just seven times at the Banks's in the league.

"I'm not sure the buzz was missing – it is almost a question of what comes first, does the result bring the buzz or does the buzz bring the result?" he said.

"I think when there is a good away following and when we have the backing of our supporters it does create the atmosphere which adds an intensity to the play," said Purkiss.

"But we went to Rochdale last Tuesday where there were barely a 1,000 people, hardly any atmosphere but we made sure we created it ourselves.

"That is often the tough thing about those Johnstone's Paint Trophy games, the lack of atmosphere.

"We need to take that into home games against smaller teams, we have no excuse to not perform. We should bring a buzz to all of the remaining home games."

While things have been going well at home, on their travels the Saddlers are yet to win in the league and Purkiss acknowledges that ultimately they must start firing on all fronts in order to climb the table.

"We need to start picking up points both at home and on the road," he said.

"The first season I was here in 2012/13 we won a lot at home and maybe didn't pick up many away.

"Last year it was the opposite, we probably picked up more away."