Mat Sadler: Walsall have to cut out errors
Mat Sadler says the basic errors have to stop as Walsall get set to kick-start a run of four crucial games against Forest Green Rovers tonight.
The Saddlers host Mark Cooper’s side in the EFL Trophy desperate for a positive result following a dreadful run of form.
After losing six matches on the spin, Darrell Clarke’ side were then held to a draw by Darlington on Saturday – with the National League North side scoring with the last kick of the game to force an FA Cup replay.
And Sadler believes everyone in the squad has been guilty of making poor decisions over the past few weeks.
“A lot of it is basic stuff,” the defender said.
“I don’t think there is anyone in that dressing room, myself included, that can lay claim to being faultless for the mistakes we’ve been making.
“I think we can look at goals we’ve conceded and say ‘you should have done that or should have done this.’
“We have to find a way to be more ruthless in both boxes. The goal Darlington scored, you have to defend that.
“Firstly, you have to land on the football in the middle of the pitch, there’s two or three of us around the ball but the lad wins a free-kick – that can’t happen.
“Secondly, when the cross comes in you have to defend it as a team. If one or two switch off, it results in their player attacking the ball.
“There is plenty to work on but we have to get back on the horse and keep working.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to know bad runs come to an end and then they go into a positive set of results.
“That’s what we’ve got to keep believing.”
After tonight’s game, the Saddlers host Cambridge in League Two on Saturday. They then have their FA Cup replay at Darlington before facing fellow strugglers Stevenage.
“Forest Green is an opportunity to win and get through the group,” Sadler continued.
“Then we have a replay mixed in the middle of two huge league games.
“We have to get ourselves up for that. We have to be prepared to create opportunities and stick our faces and our bodies in front of the ball to prevent it going in.
“There’s no masterclass of coaching that needs to be spoken about here, it’s League Two football. You need to block it with whatever you can block it with and put it in with whatever you can down the other end.”
