James O'Connor: Walsall becoming a team

Having endured an inconsistent opening half to the season, the Saddlers have hit top form in recent weeks by ruthlessly sweeping aside two teams competing for League One promotion.

O'Connor is one of a few Walsall players who remains at the club from last season following a well-documented summer overhaul. And he believes there is a simple reason why Jon Whitney's side is getting stronger.

"It's time," he said. "We have had more time together as a group and we are realising where we are and where we can be.

"A lot of new players arrived in the summer, but the more you play together, the more relationships build on and off the pitch. We have played well the last two games and I thought we were a threat throughout against Bristol Rovers. Even when they put us under pressure I felt we had an out ball. We always looked dangerous."

Walsall's back-to-back victories have seen them move within eight points of the play-offs.

But O'Connor said the squad will be keeping tight-lipped on their targets for the season.

"As a group we have looked at the table," he continued.

"We have our targets as a group but we will keep them to ourselves.

"Last year was exciting. We came so close but ultimately we didn't do what we wanted to do. But it was a process, over five years. I was only here for two of those years but we were always trying to improve. That is what we are trying to do now. Improve as a team and individually as well."

At 32 years old, O'Connor is one of the most experienced players in the Saddlers squad. But he revealed he still takes inspiration from captain Adam Chambers, who is 36.

"The skipper sets his standards day in, day out," O'Connor added.

"He does everything he possibly can to be the best player he can be.

"That is the most important thing I can say about him. I'm still inspired by him coming in early."