Smith calls for leaders at Walsall
Walsall defender Manny Smith has called for leaders to emerge from the squad as the Saddlers prepare to return to League One action against Stockport.
The young centre-back reckons the big characters in the side must take the lead to help the club turn the Banks's Stadium into a fortress.
Smith, who only turned 22 last weekend, will line up again tomorrow as Chris Hutchings' men look to extend their unbeaten home record to eight matches.
But the team have only won twice in seven games on their own patch this season and Smith reckons strong minds are the key to turning draws into victories.
He said: "We go out there every game looking to give 100 per cent and sometimes it doesn't go our way. When we go a goal down no-one really lifts their game or takes charge and leads for us and that's one thing we can improve.
"If we can start to do that then I think we will be OK. I think it's improving. We're getting used to playing at home and we've got to make it difficult for teams that come to play against us.
"We can't be easy to play against at home. When you play the lower teams they are really up for it, no matter who they are playing.
"They have got nothing to lose and they'll be looking to pick up points from anywhere."
The Saddlers avoided an FA Cup shock with a 1-0 win at Stourbridge last weekend, collecting their sixth clean sheet of the season into the bargain.
Smith hopes that shut-out will breed confidence among the club's defenders.
He said: "I think we work well as a unit, with the back four, midfield four and front two. But there are some silly goals that we're conceding at the back. There have been some scrappy goals, not worldy goals. They have just been silly mistakes and lapses of concentration.
"If you come off the pitch winning 1-0 or 5-0 and you've got the clean sheet it gives you that extra confidence and it is a bonus to know you have done your job in keeping the clean sheet, like strikers with goals."
Smith has spent the early months of this season carving out a reputation as a solid defensive performer after breaking from the youth team into the senior ranks during the last two years.
The youngster, who has kept on-loan Manchester City man Clayton McDonald on the sidelines in recent weeks, believes solid progress has been made for a 22-year-old.
He said: "I think I have achieved a lot. I have always liked football since I was little and everyone around my area did as well. But I just kept going, got my chance and took it at Walsall."
