Stuart Sinclair believes clean sheet is a base for Walsall

Playing on a difficult surface on a cold evening in the south-west the 0-0 draw did not excite the neutrals, but it meant the Saddlers ended their losing streak and picked up their first clean sheet since November 3.

Dutton has now had five games as head coach and is still waiting for his first win but Sinclair insists the players are all pulling together through this difficult run of results.

“Exeter away, I think that’s a good point,” he said.

“It’s something to build on isn’t it? Especially recently. A clean sheet, which is important, away from home as well, which is massive.

“If we can build clean sheets then that definitely will help the side.

“The endeavour that the lads showed, shows we’re all together and really want to push forwards. It’s a good base.”

For all the positive possession-based football Walsall have played under Dutton, the lack of attacking threat has been a major stumbling block.

Linking the midfield and forwards has been a challenge but Sinclair insists with the talent the squad has, it will come in time.

He added: “The gaffer has only been in a short time and he’s been working on it. It’s going to take time. Building clean sheets will allow us to build forwards and help us. This is a step forwards in the right direction.

“We have talented players. Ty (Tyreik Wright) has been exceptional, if we can get him the ball and link up that will help for sure.

“We have nice positive full-backs, it will all come. We just need to give the gaffer a bit of time and allow him to progress those processes in training.”

Sinclair has had injury and fitness issues throughout the season and only made his 16th appearance in all competitions on Tuesday night.

He played 85 minutes and put in a superb performance, regularly winning the ball back in midfield, but Dutton revealed the 33-year-old is still battling to get fully fit.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Stuart,” Dutton said. “I’ve had to roll him out to be honest, he’s had a lot of injuries and his body has struggled. He’s not fully fit for sure, but he has the heart of a lion.

“He puts it all on the line out there, cajoles the rest of them and makes good decisions. It was a horrible pitch where you couldn’t dwell on the ball. It was a territorial game and he was that bit of experience that we probably lacked recently.”