Simeon Jackson pleads with fans: Stick with us at Walsall

That is the defiant message from striker Simeon Jackson after Walsall capped a miserable week by crashing out of the Checkatrade Trophy to Oldham.

After slipping to a 2-1 loss at Fleetwood on Saturday, the Saddlers exited the Trophy on Tuesday night as Steve Robinson's side came away from the Banks's with a 3-1 win.

That result meant Jon Whitney's side now only have the league to play for, having already been knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup earlier in the campaign.

But despite a disappointing run, Jackson is adamant the team will soon get things right.

"Stick with us," Jackson said.

"We know it is a frustrating time for the fans. But as a group we are just as frustrated and we need to stick together as a team and as a club.

"The fans are a massive part of what we are trying to do here.

"To come out and keep supporting us like they have – they have been great.

"We will get get it right. We will get our heads right and we will turn this

around."

Walsall qualified for the second-round clash with Oldham after topping Northern Group H with three wins out of three.

And having previously played well in the tournament, Jackson admitted it hurt the team to be knocked out – with the players believing they had what it takes to make it all the way to Wembley.

"We were really disappointed to get knocked out at that stage," Jackson continued.

"I thought we could have gone on and been very succesful in the competition.

"It was a real shame because we wanted to carry on the momentum we had shown in the group stage.

"But against Oldham we didn't take our chances and they've taken theirs.

"It's very disappointing."

Jackson started up front against the Latics alongside Amadou Bakayoko who netted his eighth goal of the season in that game.

It's a partnership fans have wanted to see throughout the season.

And Canadian international Jackson believes it's one that has a lot of potential.

"Ama scored a great goal against Oldham – it was a great finish," he continued.

"I've been speaking to him and trying to get a little partnership going and I thought we did well at times.

"Hopefully we will get the chance to put things right on Saturday.

"Our partnership will take time.

"We need to work hard in training but it will come."

Not for the first time this season, Walsall conceded quick-fire goals against the Latics – with the visitors scoring in the 69th and 73rd minute.

"That is something we really need to cut out," Jackson added.

"I think it's concentration really.

"We were getting some good spells with the ball at times.

"But at times we leave ourselves a bit vulnerable to the counter.

"That's something we will definitely have to look at.

"We have to brush ourselves down and get it right for Saturday.

"The league is now our only focal point, that's the last tournament we are out of now. So we know we have got to perform."