Jon Whitney: Walsall players will learn from pre-season defeat
Boss Jon Whitney believes his young players will have learnt some valuable lessons following Walsall’s pre-season defeat at Solihull Moors.
The Saddlers enjoyed a 1-0 interval lead at Damson Park thanks to an emphatic finish from winger Maz Kouyhar.
Whitney opted to field a different side in each half and it was after the break Liam McDonald’s men took charge with a brace from former Swindon striker Jermaine Hylton putting them 2-1 up.
Joe Edwards got the Saddlers back on terms with 10 minutes remaining but Joel Kettle grabbed a late winner for the hosts when he diverted home a low free-kick.
And Whitney admitted the game proved a learning curve for his two experimental XIs.
“There were some pluses and the main thing is getting 45 minutes into the legs of some of the lads,” the boss said.
“It was good for the fans to see the new signings for the first time.
“It also showed the young lads the standard of conference level football. That is the level we are trying to get some of them out at.
“The likes of Dan Vann have got to play against men when they are used to playing development football.
“It was a learning curve for some of them. the first half, the lads were saying they were pleased to get that clean sheet.
“But in the second half there was a bit of naivety, especially from set-pieces. There were a few mistakes. But that is what these games are for.
“We have come through it unscathed. We have got the new lads blooded in now.
“And from that I think we can start to learn, start to analyse and break it down into areas we can improve on.”
