Brian Dutton: Walsall defeat a big learning curve
Walsall assistant manager Brian Dutton insists the EFL Trophy loss to Oxford United will be a ‘big learning curve’ after the club were knocked out of the competition.
The Saddlers went into the game knowing that only a win would guarantee they progressed from the group stage, with Bristol Rovers and Chelsea Under-21’s playing next week.
They saw a lot of the ball throughout the game but failed to fashion any clear-cut chances - with Caolan Lavery’s header hitting the post the closest they came.
In the 87th minute Derick Osei netted for Oxford, knocking Walsall out, and while Dutton was disappointed with the result, he believes the team can take the positives from the performance as they focus on League Two for the remainder of the season.
“We’re really disappointed to concede so late in the game,” Dutton said.
“The lads left it all out on the pitch, there wasn’t a bad performance out there.
“They really dug in for us and it was a sucker punch at the end.
“It was a strong defensive performance, we kept them relatively quiet and Oxford are a top team. They finished in the play-offs last year and were really unlucky not to progress into the second tier.
“It was a really solid performance and then that one lapse of concentration towards the end and with the quality Oxford have on the pitch they’ve punished us.
“It’s a big learning curve for us.”
