Goal hero Romaine Sawyers backing Walsall

The Saddlers boss claimed on the eve of the campaign his side were capable of a top-six finish.

Sawyers netted a stunning late winner to earn a point against league leaders Bristol City at the Banks's on Saturday.

The playmaker believes Walsall are starting to show their true worth, even though they are still in the bottom half of the League One table.

"With the amount of changes over the summer, there was always a chance we might have a slow start," he said.

"The gaffer speaking at the start of the season, saying a statement like that, shows the belief we have in ourselves.

"People might have looked at him funnily but I think they have seen in these past two games why he made such a bold statement. I think our performances are backing up his statement.

"We do not fear anyone and we have a belief that we can go and perform against anybody. I think Saturday's performance shows it in abundance. I think we performed very well.

"With back-to-back performances like that and Doncaster in the last game I think we really showed the season has started to pick up now and our performances have started to turn into results."

Sawyers, who will miss tomorrow's trip to Rochdale and Saturday's game at Oldham while on international duty with St Kitts and Nevis, agreed the goal was perhaps his best yet.

For the third home match running the 22-year-old was awarded the sponsors' Man of the Match – but revealed he has little use for the prize.

He said: "You get champagne from the sponsors. It is all just stocking up – because I don't drink."