Jon Whitney makes Walsall Wembley pledge
Jon Whitney has vowed to show Wembley what Walsall are really made of as his side prepare to contest the League One play-offs.
The Saddlers romped to a 5-0 victory at Port Vale yesterday.
Two Anthony Forde goals as well as strikes from Paul Downing, Tom Bradshaw and Sam Mantom saw Whitney's men record their most emphatic win of the campaign. But it wasn't enough to clinch the second automatic promotion spot in League One with a 0-0 draw for Burton at Doncaster ensuring Nigel Clough's Brewers finished runners-up to champions Wigan.
Walsall will now take on Barnsley in the play-offs with the first leg at Oakwell on Saturday and the return at the Banks's Stadium on May 19.
The winner will play either Millwall or Bradford at Wembley for a place in the Championship.
The Saddlers made it to the iconic home of football for the first time in their 127-year history last season but fell to a 2-0 loss against Bristol City in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
And now Whitney wants to see his team return and put on a better display.
"We hopefully now have three games to try and finish the job and win promotion," Whitney said. "Barnsley are a very good side so it's going to be tough.
"But I would love to go to Wembley and put a few ghosts to rest because I was disappointed with how we performed there last year.
"It's Barnsley first and it's good to get the away leg first and then hopefully we will bring it back to the Banks's and make it a memorable occasion.
"But I am proud of everyone for staying positive and believing. Now you have to keep believing, stay positive and we will push to keep this dream alive."
