Scott Laird: It's been a tough few weeks
SCOTT LAIRD wants Walsall to banish some of the hurt of the past few weeks when they face Bradford tomorrow.
The Saddlers travel to Valley Parade on the back of a disappointing run that has effectively ended their hopes of finishing in the League One play-offs.
Jon Whitney’s side outplayed Charlton at The Valley before drawing against the Addicks.
That was followed by a narrow loss at home to Fleetwood – with Whitney’s men then letting a two-goal lead to slip to lose at Southend.
And Laird admits it’s been a tough few weeks for the squad.
“It’s been horrible,” he said.
“It was hard with the Charlton game first of all. We knew we should have picked up three points with the performance we put in there.
“We probably should have come away with a draw against Fleetwood, who are a very good side.
“And then to be two-nil up after a great first half performance at Southend and then lose those three goals was bitterly disappointing.
“The gaffer didn’t say too much to us afterwards because we knew as players and professionals that it wasn’t good enough second half.
“It does happen in football. Football is a funny game and you often hear 2-0 is a dangerous position to be in.
“But we know we needed to be better as a team and as a collective.”
The last four goals Walsall have conceded have come direct from or following set-pieces. And Laird accepts that is not acceptable.
“A lot has been made of that and rightly so because a lot of the goals we have concede recently have come from set-pieces,” he said.
“We haven’t been cut-open.
“I can’t remember the last time we were cut open really. Someone probably will correct me but forme it was Rochdale at home.
“We are doing everything we can to rectify that. But I can assure everyone that the lads here have got a great desire to defend their goal.
“The international break has given us a chance to re-group. We have been sitting down and really analysing what we need to improve on.
“Bradford is now the first opportunity to go and implement those new strategies. It’s a game we are really looking forward and a game we are going there to win.”
