Jon Whitney challenges Walsall to go on run

Saddlers continue what is a frantic February when they travel to take on Blackpool on Saturday.

Whitney’s side returned to winning ways last weekend when they triumphed over the Dons in a relegation six-pointer. And now they face two more crunch games against sides at the wrong end of the table with the trip to Bloomfield Road followed by a home clash with Doncaster on Tuesday.

“February is a big month with a lot of games so it was important to get off to a good start with a win over MK Dons,” Whitney said.

“I was really pleased for the players. After the defeats against Charlton and Blackburn, the MK Dons game was always a big one.

“And the performance has set us up nicely for Blackpool.

“We have brushed ourselves down. We have enjoyed it and celebrated the win. But the important thing for us was to realise why we got the win. We pressed really well and I thought our discipline at the back was excellent.

“That’s what we need to continue.”

Meanwhile, Whitney admitted he was delighted to keep hold of Erhun Oztumer during the January transfer window.

Walsall’s talisman is known to be interesting a host of clubs.

And last month Rotherham boss Paul Warne said he believes every team in League One is interested in signing the 26-year-old.

But despite Oztumer being out of contract in the summer, Walsall made it clear he was not for sale last month - much to the delight of Whitney.

“I’m really happy – we had quite a lot of interest in a few of our players, not just Erhun,” the boss said.

“It’s really nice to keep them. It’s a good nucleus of a squad - we have a lot of energy.

“It’s a young squad but age for me is just a number. If you can show maturity and responsibility, you’ll get a chance at his club.

“You just have to make sure you take it when it comes.

“It’ll be an interesting few months for some of the lads, to really cement themselves at Walsall.”