Guthrie desperate for elusive clean sheet

The Saddlers have made an unbeaten start to the new campaign with four wins and a draw from their opening five matches.

But despite some impressive defensive performances – particularly in the victories over Gillingham and Wimbledon earlier this week – they are yet to keep clean sheet. And Guthrie says the players are determined to register that elusive shut-out.

“We should have got a clean sheet against Gillingham and probably should have got one against Wimbledon as well.” the defender said.

“You could see after Gillingham how much it means to us. It was a weird feeling after the game. The changing room was a bit quieter than it normally is after a win. It was in our head we conceded so late on. We are working so hard to get it but we just aren’t doing that final bit at the minute. Now the plan is to get one at Rochdale.

“As long as the wins keep coming we are happy. But obviously as defenders a clean sheet is our bread and butter.”

Guthrie says there are a host of reasons why the Saddlers have looked stronger defensively this season.

“A lot of it is down to the hard work we have done in pre-season,” the former Crewe man continued.

“And it’s attitude, it’s not just about us at the back – it’s a shift from the entire team.

“You can see the blocks that are coming in from the wingers, the midfielders are working hard.

“It’s down to hard-work, attitude and also being more vocal. Communication is something the gaffer and his staff have really installed in us.

“They’ve spoken about how the game can become easier with communication.”

Meanwhile, Walsall are believed to have netted a five-figure cash windfall after former striker Tom Bradshaw joined Millwall from Barnsley.