Darrell Clarke: I made the wrong Walsall call
Walsall boss Darrell Clarke has admitted he made a ‘bad call’ when he substituted Shay Facey at half-time in the 1-1 draw at home to Macclesfield Town.
The right-back was hauled off after 45 minutes to allow left-back Cameron Pring to come on.
It meant that centre-back James Clarke, who played the first 45 minutes at left-back, moved over to right-back for the remainder of the game.
The captain has filled in at right-back earlier in the season and also put in a superb performance at left-back in last week’s 1-0 win away at Port Vale.
Despite being known for his versatility, he struggled throughout the whole 90 minutes against Macclesfield and put in a below-par performance that saw the experienced professional regularly giving the ball away.
And while manager Clarke was keen to keep his captain’s aerial threat on the pitch, in reflection he admitted that taking Facey off was the wrong decision.
“I probably made a bad call at half-time to be honest,” he said.
“Clarkey, who has been very, very reliable this season was poor.
“I just thought we were a little bit short at set pieces, so I hold my hands up for that decision.
“It was a tactical change that didn’t work.
“Honest as the day for me.
“I looked at it and thought that if I take Clarkey off then we’re very short at set pieces at that present time and a second goal kills the game. As it happens, Clarkey’s had a nightmare with the ball
. I take it on the chin.”
