Walsall warned to guard against complacency

Four victories in a row have propelled the Saddlers to the top of the form table and within touching distance of the play-offs, with only goal difference keeping them out.

Clarke has shown his boisterous side of late with lively goal celebrations and the boss insists the winning run brings out a more ‘animated’ side of him.

When asked if he’s keeping an eye on the league table and Walsall’s position, he said: “Anyone else who tells you different is a lying manager.

“For me, I always look at the league table because that’s where we competing to finish as high as we possibly can. It doesn’t change the process of trying to win the next game.

“I’m animated but I get even more animated on a successful run because I hate complacency and I hate people that get carried away because there’s a kick in the g****s around the corner in this game.

“You’ll never crack this game as a manager. You get a promotion but go and get another one otherwise you’re finished.

“The average tenure of a manager is 13 months, so I never get too high on winning football matches.

“I go the other way to be honest. I like to keep level headed and focus on the three points that’s available.”

The Christmas football schedule is notorious for being jam-packed every year, with games every few days. This year, it works out in a Saturday-Tuesday format, which Walsall have had to contend with for months this season already.

For Clarke, he is targeting the break in January as a moment to rest as Morecambe’s exploits in the FA Cup mean Walsall have a free weekend.

“The Christmas schedule lasts for four months doesn’t it?” Clarke said.

“It’s going to be a busy period, not just Christmas. We have a lot of games to come in the New Year so the Christmas period will last for four or five months.

“Game, game, game but saying that we get a two week break in January as after the second we don’t play until the 16th of January.

“So we get a bit of a break and the it’s a three or four month Christmas period. I love playing games and I love managing games at the Christmas period so it’s about making sure our lads enjoy the games because we’ve got some good games coming up.”

Central defender Dan Scarr added: “It’s not one of the worst Christmas’s we’ve had, games-wise. It’s a bit better than usual.

“The mood is good and we’re happy to be in it. I know it’s Christmas and you want to be with your family but you’re in with the lads and it’s a good laugh.”