Chris Marsh: Like me, Walsall look toothless

One of my front teeth fell out after I bit too hard on a chicken drumstick.

And now, to avoid embarrassment, I’m having to talk with my hand over my mouth – a bit like those footballers you see on TV who don’t want their words being lip-read.

To make matters worse, Walsall got beat 3-0 at Plymouth.

But while a trip to the dentist will sort my tooth problem, I don’t think things are quite so straightforward for Darrell Clarke.

It’s important to stress there have been a lot of positives over the past few weeks.

Defensively the team does look organised and solid.

But there has been a lack of goals, and I do think we look a bit too defensive in midfield.

Football is all about spaces and distances. You need midfielders that are busy and help protect the defence.

But you also need midfielders who burst forward and link-up with the strikers.

If you don’t have that, the distance between the forwards and midfielders becomes too much and the strikers become isolated.

They are then in a position where they have to create chances for themselves. And that makes it very hard to score.

It’s going to be interesting because Clarke has said he wants to sign two attacking players this week.

One will be a striker. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the other is a more experienced winger.

At the moment we have Rory Holden, Wes McDonald and James Hardy who can play out wide. But they are all inexperienced and it’s difficult to play with two inexperienced widemen.

So I think we might see a change in system if he does get a bit more nous out wide.

It’s something he must be considering – as I don’t think you need to play with three centre-backs when your central midfield is overloaded with defensive players.

Despite that, I think we need just one big win to get everyone excited once again.

We saw my mate Dean Smith get that huge victory for Villa over Everton. Steve Bruce did it for Newcastle as well, with that fantastic win at Spurs.

Wins like that create belief – both for the players and the fans.

And a good win for us will really settle the nerves and help get us going.

There isn’t a lot wrong, and it’s clear where the team is falling down.

But give it time and I’m sure Clarke and his team will get it right.