Walsall v Salford - Match preview

Despite coming off the back of two impressive wins over promotion-chasing sides, the Saddlers disappointed on Saturday and deservedly fell to a 2-1 defeat against relegation-threatened Colchester.

Walsall are not yet mathematically safe from relegation but with only four games remaining they are within reach.

Now, Bates insists all the players need to put right the wrongs of Saturday afternoon when Salford City arrive in town tonight.

Bates said: “I can’t explain how we go from beating two top teams in the league to coming to Colchester and not showing our best performance.

“It’s all about a reaction on Tuesday night and the Saturday after that.

“We’ll be looking to put things right against Salford.

“We’ve had a chat and no it wasn’t good enough (against Colchester), so everyone will be looking for a reaction for sure.

“He (Dutton) wasn’t pleased, not at all pleased.

“We expected that. We’re not stupid players, we’re honest and know it wasn’t good enough.

“We need to get results.

“That’s not down to the gaffer all the time, us as players need to take responsibility and start picking up a few more points.”

Bates is under contract under 2023 but a number of his team-mates will be free agents in the summer and the 19-year-old insists the last four games of the season is a chance for those players to prove their worth.

“Everyone wants to prove themselves for the club and for their own careers,” he added.

“If it’s not here, for those out of contract, then surely someone else will pick them up because they’re all great players.

“It’s down to yourself, put the performances in and get another contract.”

Head coach Brian Dutton echoed Bates’ thoughts and insisted the players have a future career to play for in the final games of the season, whether or not that is with Walsall.

Dutton said: “Whether your motivations are intrinsic or extrinsic, to get a contract with Walsall or put yourselves in the shop window, nobody wants to be out of work off the back of a global pandemic.

“That alone, players should be absolutely giving their all. There should be no complacency in the camp. It’s a really valid point, whoever is selected against Salford has an opportunity to impress.

“Everybody has an opportunity, including me.

“I shall be doing my utmost to impress.”

Walsall’s lowest ever finish in 100 years of league football was 16th in the fourth tier in 1991.

They could be set to beat that record but Dutton insists after they secure safety his side will be targeting a finish higher than 16th so they avoid that ‘label’.

He added: “The first motivation is to mathematically put it beyond doubt and the second motivation is that we don’t want that label, for sure.

“We’ll be doing everything and anything we can to make sure we try and win every single game between now and the end of the season.”

Rory Holden may be unavailable tonight after missing Saturday’s fixture.

The attacking midfielder has been ‘uncomfortable’ since returning from his knee injury and was having it looked it yesterday.

Dan Scarr returned to training on Friday but was not involved on the weekend. He could make his return.

Stuart Sinclair has been missing for a couple weeks with a knock that is expected to keep him out, while Liam Roberts has continued to feature on the bench but not warm-up after picking up an injury of his own.