Walsall v Bolton: Jack Rose urging Saddlers to keep standards high

And now Walsall goalkeeper Jack Rose has challenged his team-mates to show they can do it again against League Two heavyweights Bolton tomorrow.

The Trotters – led by prolific striker Eoin Doyle – head to the Banks’s Stadium looking to bounce back after falling to a heavy loss against Port Vale last weekend.

But before that loss, Ian Evatt’s side had won five matches on the spin.

Rose, though, knows Walsall can go on and secure back-to-back wins in League Two if they hit the heights shown at Prenton Park last time out.

Darrell Clarke’s side have been guilty of drawing too many games this season, with nine of their 16 league outings ending all-square.

But they found a ruthlessness at Tranmere which they are determined to maintain going forward.

“I think one of the main things everyone knows is that we had been playing really well for 45 or 60-minute spells – but we needed to do it for longer,” Rose said.

“So we sat down and had a chat because we knew we had to perform for longer.

“I think Tranmere was 90 minutes of everyone doing well and showing what they can do – the result then comes along with it.

“We scored but even when Tranmere got it back to 1-1 we didn’t just think ‘we’re back to drawing’.

“We wanted to show everyone that we are a good team that we could keep going.

“Because of that, we got the second goal. And then we kept going again and got the third.

“We have always known that we have got quality in the team.

“For us, the important thing is to make sure we producing for 80 minutes or 85 minutes.

“The opposition are always going to have a spell. But if we do that the chances are we are going to get goals and win games.”

Rose is currently getting his chance in the Saddlers goal after dislodging Liam Roberts from the side.

The 25-year-old has started the last two matches – with Clarke’s men having taken four points from those games.

And the shot-stopper knows he and his team-mates will need to be at their best if they are to extend that unbeaten run tomorrow.

“It’s an interesting game because Bolton conceded heavily last Saturday so we are expecting a big reaction from them,” Rose continued.

“Any side that concedes heavily – the main thing their manager will be saying is that they want a reaction and they want a good performance.

“We are expecting a tough game, but we are going into it with a lot of confidence.”

Walsall’s win at Tranmere was the first time they have played in front of a crowd since early March with the Birkenhead region falling under tier two of the government’s coronavirus restrictions.

The Saddlers hope tomorrow’s game will be their last without fans with their tier three status up for review next week.

And Rose admits he can’t wait to play in front of a passionate home crowd once again.

“It will be interesting going from Tranmere to no crowd again,” he said.

“We just have to deal with it but it will be great when Walsall fans are able to come back in.

“It is amazing what the fans can do. I remember warming up at Tranmere and we got booed – and just getting booed was nice, we had smiles on our faces being booed!

“When their team the big cheer came and everybody smiled again. It’s just nice to have an atmosphere back in the ground again.

“I do think that helps you as a player.”