Dean Smith: Belief the key in Walsall's rise
Manager Dean Smith claims an increased belief has been key to Walsall's rise up League One.
The Saddlers go to Coventry City tomorrow looking to record three straight away league wins for the first time since October 2007.
A run of 10 points from their past four games, including impressive victories at Notts County and Fleetwood, has lifted Smith's side from second bottom to the fringes of the top half.
And when asked what has clicked for his team over the past month, the manager replied: "I think it is the belief in the players.
"Crawley away, even though we lost, was a spark when we went there and dominated the game.
"Even though we lost the belief was there from that game. We then went on and beat Chesterfield and we have kept marching on since.
"We have been progressing with our performances. We have had three very good performances including Crawley, they have been excellent.
"We have managed to get two good results out of the past two games against Notts County and Fleetwood and I feel we have deserved them as well.
"I have always felt the performances were the important thing and the results then follow."
Smith wants his players to use the surroundings of Coventry's 32,500-seater Ricoh Stadium to their advantage.
The hosts have won just three out of seven league games since returning to the ground in September, following a year playing in Northampton, and it's likely to be less than a third full for the visit of the Saddlers.
He said: "I'm sure it is different (to when they first went back). Coventry were riding away with the euphoria of being back in the city.
"Results have not gone so well and maybe there are a few on their backs. Our job is to make sure the fans do get on their backs and that comes down to us having a good start.
"People enjoy going to the Ricoh because of the arena it is and I think that has been proved.
"Players can rise to the occasion, certainly. For a League One player to go to a stadium like the Ricoh is very good for them.
"I'm sure a lot of teams who go there look forward to it. I thought Gillingham on their first night back there in the second half really lifted and it does bring that out."
