Defiant Jon Whitney vows to win round the Walsall doubters

A run of just one win in 11 games stretching back to March, coupled with a frustrating summer in the transfer market, means the Saddlers headed into today’s home game against Oldham with the pressure already mounting.

Yet while acknowledging he is currently experiencing something of a “rough ride”, Whitney is confident his methods will eventually bear fruit and has called on supporters to stick with the team.

He said: “We do things a bit different and we will be open to criticism from that. If you want to change things then sometimes you have to start with a rough ride.

“I am sure it will get smoother and a lot of fans will get back on the bandwagon and positivity will return.”

Supporters have become frustrated at Whitney’s failure to sign a striker during the close season, while his decision to exile popular defender James O’Connor has also been questioned by certain sections of the fanbase.

Whitney has acknowledged there is currently an air of negativity around the club but is determined to stick by his principles.

Asked whether the negativity had come as a surprise, considering the season is only a week old, he replied: “It hasn’t because it is the way of the world. The social status of the world is that everything is negative.

“It is very easy to look at negatives all the time. It is difficult to pick positives and that is why people try and look for a chink in my armour.

“I am going to keep being the same. We have an incredible club and an incredible fanbase.

“As long as the criticism comes to me then I don’t mind. Give the players a chance. I can take it. The players deserve a good crack at it.

“You never know how close you are to turning them into a special player. Show some belief and positivity around the players and I will take the criticism.”

After losing their opening league game at Bury last weekend, the Saddlers were beaten 3-2 by Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Whitney continued: “I don’t feel any different to before Bury. A lot of the pressure comes from the pressure we put on ourselves.

“Of course we take into account what people say but it is within the pressure we put on ourselves.

“The lads were very buoyant after Sheffield United. After a defeat you don’t usually say anything, you sit on the bus. But there is a lot of positivity in the group.

“There might have been individual errors but the general feel is we were not far off in both games.

“At the same time we can’t keep saying it, we need to put into action. Let’s go and show it.

“We have to step forward and be even more driven. We won’t hide from it but we will put on a good show for the fans against Oldham.”