Steven Pressley takes swipe at Mathieu Manset
Coventry City boss Steven Pressley does not expect former charge Mathieu Manset to be in Walsall's starting line-up – as he questioned the striker's work ethic.
Manset spent five months on loan with the Sky Blues at the start of last season before his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, after he managed just nine substitute appearances and one goal.
All indications are the 25-year-old, who signed for the Saddlers in August, will have to make do with a place on the bench on his return tomorrow.
That is certainly what Pressley is anticipating, after giving a none too flattering assessment of Manset's time at Coventry.
"I went to see Walsall a couple of weeks ago and he was a used sub that day," said the City boss.
"I wouldn't use him because they have taken ten points from a possible 12 with him out of the team, so I would imagine Dean (Smith) would go with the players who have served him extremely well of late."
Asked about his character and way he conducted himself at Coventry, Pressley revealed: "Mathieu was one of those who didn't adhere to the standards I expect at this club. That's not to say I don't wish him all the best wherever he goes but, certainly here, he didn't reach the standards.
"He's a player who now has a history of being at a lot of clubs in a short space of time and he needs to knuckle down and really find his home and fulfil his potential."
He added: "He's got great physical attributes and that's what attracted me to him in the first place but he has got other parts to his game; the work ethic, that he must improve. And he's still got time to do that."
Manset found himself left out of the Saddlers starting line-up at Fleetwood last week following a below par performance in the FA Cup defeat at Shrewsbury.
Saddlers manager Smith admits the striker, who has netted just once this season, must be ready to fight for his shirt.
"He probably will be frustrated but he was not good enough against Shrewsbury and hence he did not play against Fleetwood," said Smith.
"He lost his shirt and it is up to him now to go and get that shirt back. It is the same for all the other players.
"That is what this football club is all about, you have to go out and work hard first and foremost and keep the shirt.
"If you do that, you can go home at night and be pleased with your contribution."
