Jon Whitney backs Eoghan O'Connell to shine for Walsall

The 21-year-old was snapped up from Scottish giants Celtic last Thursday and then went straight into the team for the visit of the League One leaders on Saturday.

It meant O'Connell was part of the Saddlers side that put on their best display of the season as Walsall ruthlessly swept aside the Blades in a 4-1 victory.

And Whitney was delighted with the performance of the centre-back, especially as he had only trained twice with his new team mates.

"I thought the big man at the back was excellent against Sheffield United," Whitney said when asked about the towering defender. "He grew into the game and showed why we brought him in.

"I think he put in a really commanding display and Jimmy (O'Connor) got stronger from it and Matty (Preston) got stronger from it as well.

"We worked on the back three on Thursday. We spent our time working on shape and triggers.

"But I brought him in because he is a 21-year-old playing with a 31-year-old's head on his shoulders. He plays beyond his years."

Having previously been employed as the club's physio, head of medicine and assistant manager, Whitney felt Walsall's performance against the Blades was one of the best in his 13 years with the club.

And he now wants to use it as a platform for the remaining 20 games of the season.

"Credit to the players because technically and tactically we were better than Sheffield United," Whitney continued.

"We thoroughly deserved the win against the team top of the table.

"I think that result will give the lads a lot of belief. But we have got to back it up now.

"We have got recover, enjoy the win and go again because there is still a lot of football to be played.

"But that victory lifts everybody. The fans, the players, the media guys, the staff.

"It lifts everyone but we have to make sure we ride that wave and take it forward and into the Bristol Rovers game on Saturday."