Midfielder urged to improve

Boss Mel Eves has challenged Marlon Walters to up his game following his return to Willenhall.

Eves moved to bring the former Wolves trainee back to Noose Lane from Bromsgrove in a bid to toughen the Lockmen up.

Walters signed just in time to face Stourport Swifts on Tuesday night, helping Willenhall to a second successive away draw, and was set to make his second home debut against Leighton Town this afternoon.

The midfielder was an integral part of Willenhall’s successful side last season, before being coaxed to north Worcestershire in the latter stages of the campaign.

But Eves doesn’t just want Walters to reproduce the form of his last spell with the club, but improve on it.

“The time Marlon was here last season he did well for us,” said Eves.

“We are looking for him to do equally well again or preferably better than last time.

“We’re hoping he can make a difference - there was no point bringing him back here otherwise.

“He gives us some steel in midfield and some legs to get about the pitch.

Boost

“He’s the type of player who can get others playing and he gives us a lift. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Eves is hoping Walters doesn’t incur the wrath of referees like he did last season, which meant he missed numerous games through suspension.

Eves feared the midfielder was a marked man then and is worried he could be again judging from a debut booking.

“Tackles were going in all over the place that were worth bookings, but nothing was given,” said Eves.

“But the first time Marlon went in with even a half clumsy challenge, which I admit was a foul, he got booked.

“Far worse went on  and I feel he is a victim. It’s not fair on the lad.

“There were other more bookable offences that didn’t involve him that went unpunished.”

Willenhall went into today’s game without a win in six.

Eves admits his team aren’t at their best at the moment but has seen shoots of recovery.

“In our last three games we’ve drawn twice away from home, including against a team that had won three on the bounce, and lost to a goal at home that was the opposition’s only shot at goal,” he said. “Otherwise, our keeper has had nothing to do.

“We have to take the positives, but I know we are not playing particularly well.

“We know why and we have to put that right. We weren’t helped on Tuesday by the fact Tyrone Barnett couldn’t make it at the last minute because of work and it meant we couldn’t be as positive as we would have liked.

“Joe O’Connor had to go on the bench and we had to change our plans, but everyone who played did very well.

“It was good to get a clean sheet after a week when we were conceding goals for fun.”