Darrell Clarke: Walsall 'shot themselves in the foot'
Walsall manager Darrell Clarke has been left feeling frustrated after his side ‘shot themselves in the foot’ in the 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage.
Despite being in control in the first half, the Saddlers failed to score before giving away a cheap penalty at the beginning of the second half that Aramide Oteh tucked home.
The hosts struggled to create as they searched for an equaliser but were awarded a late spot-kick of their own that Josh Gordon scored.
“In the first half I thought we were dominant but lacking that quality,” Clarke said.
“I’m very frustrated. We got in good areas.
“In the second half, what do we do, we shoot ourselves in the foot don’t we.
“We gave another poor goal away and we’re chasing.
“I’m sick of managing on the sidelines feeling frustrated and having to change things to try and freshen things up. That’s why I made the four subs early doors.
“We were very patchy in the second half but the lads kept going and we got the penalty.”
When asked about the difference in the performance in both halves, Clarke added: “Don’t even get me going, it is what it is.
“I’m frustrated. The fans will be very frustrated.
“I’m sick of repeating the same things. We need to turn these draws into wins.
“I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen a good team in the league yet, in my opinion.
“Hopefully with Josh coming back and (Rory) Holden coming back from suspension, we’ll have a little bit more quality in the final third.
“That’s what we need. Hopeless balls in the second half, not building the play up.
“I don’t know how many balls we kicked out of play. We’re better than that.”
