Walsall v Grimsby: Darrell Clarke says Saddlers must get it right in both boxes

The Saddlers, who host Grimsby at the Banks’s Stadium tomorrow, have taken five points from their first five matches in League Two.

In those games, Clarke’s side have largely defended well.

But they have struggled to create chances and score goals.

And the boss, who likes to block games into groups of five, knows that cannot continue.

“The hardest job in football is getting it right in both boxes,” the manager said.

“That fact of the matter is we haven’t done our business at the top end of the pitch.

“That has been the disappointment from the first five league games when we have analysed it.

“I like to block my league games up, we did our five-game block and had a meeting with the players.

“We went through the bits and pieces and there are obvious areas where we need to improve.

“Yes, there have been positives. But there have been too many negatives for me.

“I’m looking for a much-improved performances and results in the next block of five.

“The season is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. There are a lot of teams who can be in the mix this year.

“And from what I’ve seen in our five league games this season, I fancy us to improve and improve a lot.”

Walsall have enjoyed more possession in four of their five league matches so far.

But while they have consistently got themselves into dangerous positions, their final pass, cross of finish has often let them down.

And that is what they have tried to rectify in training this week. “We have done a lot of work on the training ground attack versus defence and 11v11s,” Clarke continued.

“We are working on different attacking patterns and working on building up play from the back through the midfield.

“We’ve also worked on being direct at times, but when it’s the right time.

“You are always working on those things.

“But repetition is so important. Players need to develop partnerships. They come over time. If you look at the best teams in the world, they have been together over a period of time and they build those relationships on the pitch.

“But we need players to build those relationships a little bit quicker than we have been doing. That has been the main focus this week, while also making sure we don’t forget the things we have done quite well.”

The opposition: Mariners are going under the radar

They have gone somewhat under the radar.

But Grimsby fans believe boss Michael Jolley has built a side that has every chance of finishing in the top seven this year.

The Mariners struggled for goals in League Two last season – netting just 45 times in their 46 games.

But Jolley looks to have fixed that problem in the transfer market – with James Hanson and Matt Green two excellent additions.

Targetman Hanson has scored goals for fun against Walsall in recent years.

While in Green, the Mariners have a willing runner who is an ideal foil for the former Bradford man.

And those two are backed up by ex-Saddler Jordan Cook, who is comfortable up front and out wide.

In midfield, creativity tends to stem from livewire Moses Obgu.

Jake Hessenthaler works hard, while the fit-again Elliott Whitehouse looks to latch on to Hanson’s knockdowns.

Prior to getting the Grimsby job, Jolley had a spell in charge of AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden. And he has used his knowledge of the Swedish market well. Ogbu arrived having played for Jönköpings Södra IF before a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ain.

Centre-back Ludvig Ohman has also impressed since joining from IF Brommapojkarna.

Memory lane:

December 15, 2001

Goals from Frederic Biancalani, Brett Angell, Jorge Leitao and Herivelto saw Walsall thump Grimsby at the Banks’s Stadium. The Saddlers, who began the day in the relegation zone, were in control from off with keeper Jimmy Walker forced to make just one save over the course of the 90 minutes. In contrast,

Mariners’ keeper Danny Coyne put in a man-of-the-match display to keep the score down.

Key battle:

James Clarke v James Hanson

There are few forwards Walsall supporters fear more than James Hanson. Back in 2016, the striker netted a hat-trick as Bradford thumped the Saddlers at Valley Parade.

That result effectively ended Walsall’s hopes of winning automatic promotion. Now at Grimsby having been at Wimbledon last year, Hanson already has three goals this season.

The pace and power of Clarke will be crucial if Walsall are to stop him.