Romaine Sawyers: Walsall can cope

Saturday's 1-0 win at Fleetwood Town, which came courtesy of Sawyers' goal, was the Saddlers' first in the league without their nine-goal top scorer Bradshaw.

He was sidelined for the third game running, missing the League One affair with a hamstring injury.

With just 15 goals in 18 league games so far, Sawyers appreciates why the forward line has come under fire but claims they are ready to start proving the critics wrong.

He said: "We are getting in the right positions and the chances are coming. We would start panicking if we weren't creating the chances but as long as we create, we will take them.

"Maybe my goal on Saturday was not as easy as some of those we have had in the past but we took the chance on and I am sure we will keep taking more and more."

Prior to Saturday, the Saddlers had taken just one point from a possible 18 from games in which Bradshaw had missed.

Manager Dean Smith is hopeful the 22-year-old will return for Saturday's trip to Coventry City, but Sawyers believes they can cope without him if needed.

He said: "Obviously, Bradders (Bradshaw) is a big player for the team and our top goalscorer. We can see why the flak has come our way but we showed on Saturday we can do it without him.

"I don't think it is a theory which will be much longer lived. Fleetwood was just one example. I'm sure we will have more as the season goes on if Tom misses more games."

Walsall will head to Coventry having won three of their last four games and Sawyers added: "We always had the belief we would get out of the position we were in a few weeks ago."

Meanwhile, young midfielder Jake Heath has seen his loan at non-league Rushall Olympic extended for a second month.