Walsall action, not words count for Jon Whitney

The Saddlers have endured a frustrating start to the 2017/18 campaign with Whitney’s men having won three, lost four and drawn five of their opening 12 league games.

Despite being unbeaten at home, that run means they currently sit 16th in League One ahead of Saturday’s clash with Blackpool.

But Whitney now wants his players to go on a long unbeaten run, following their draw against Shrewsbury. “We keep saying when we have a good result it’s got to be a springboard,” he said.

“But we’ve got to go out and do it.

“The home form is still intact. Shrewsbury came here with a record of being unbeaten. But we also had our pride. We wanted to stay unbeaten at home.

“Now we have got Blackpool. We will be looking for a similar type of performance. But we want three points. Things are a lot easier when you are winning games. You keep that mentality and momentum.”

Walsall had to make do without Adam Chambers for the clash against the table-topping Shrews – with the skipper missing out with a tight hamstring.

But Whitney is hopeful he will be back for the visit of the Tangerines.

“Adam was like a bear with a sore head against Shrewsbury because he doesn’t like watching games,” Whitney added.

“He doesn’t miss many. He has been a bit fatigued. At Wigan we knew he was tiring a little bit.

“Then last Sunday he felt something with his hamstring. It was very tight and it would have been a risk to play him against Shrewsbury.

“He was willing to play but it would have been a risk and we couldn’t risk losing him for six weeks.

“We’re resting him, and freshening him up this week.”