Dean Smith: Standards are now set at Walsall

The Saddlers head back to Spotland tomorrow night for a Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round clash just three weeks after being humbled 4-0 in a league encounter.

But since then Smith's team are unbeaten, having taken five points from three games and earned an impressive point in a 1-1 draw with League One leaders Bristol City on Saturday.

The manager played down talk of tomorrow being a "revenge mission" and simply wants his players to perform at a high level.

Smith said: "We just want to go and put in a performance," said Smith. "When we went there before we were poor but the last three games have been good, we have been excellent.

"The players know the sort of levels they have got to be at in every game they play and tomorrow will be no different.

"The last two games have been really good performances at home as well and we had a good crowd there on Saturday when we played Bristol City.

"Hopefully, we have given them something to go home and talk about."

Smith will today get an update on the fitness of top scorer Tom Bradshaw, who was forced off after just 35 minutes of Saturday's game with a hamstring strain.

On the plus side, the manager was able to hand Jordan Cook his first competitive senior action of the season as the Saddlers injury troubles continue to ease.

Smith said: "It's nice to have him, Manny (Mathieu Manset), Grimesy (Ashley Grimes) and Billy Clifford to come on," said Smith. "It's nice to have them and the injury list is certainly getting less."

Smith felt the Saddlers were fortunate not to sustain another serious injury, when City's Derrick Williams committed what he described as the "worst tackle I've seen this season".

Robins boss Steve Cotterill confirmed he and Williams had apologised for the incident, which was missed by the officials.