Hutchings is a harsh taskmaster
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings admits he is a harsh taskmaster because he refuses to give his Saddlers players an extra day off.
The team have lost just three of their last 12 games after their 2-0 win over Stockport on Saturday.
But chief Hutchings revealed he had to give his players a half-time pep talk and will not bow to their pleas.
He said: "They keep on about having Mondays off but they won't be getting them. I didn't growl as much at half-time as I might have done.
"It was bit lower key but I knew we had to perform better. In the second half we started much sharper and brighter so we looked more of a threat."
Hutchings reserved special praise for Mark Bradley after the midfielder's strong showing against the Hatters.
The manager said: "Mark gave one or two free-kicks away, but I think that was his enthusiasm to win tackles. He was on the front foot and was an influence on the midfield.
"You have to earn the right to play. We expect our midfielders to battle. He maybe needs to quicken up a bit and win a few more tackles and headers and he did that on Saturday."
Bradley and Dwayne Mattis are Hutchings' first choice midfielders while Richard Taundry recovers from a hamstring injury and have pleased the boss.
The Walsall boss said: "He and Dwayne are the same, sometimes midfield players have time to get on the ball and pass and other times they don't and they have to roll their sleeves up and compete, which they did on Saturday."
