Saddlers urged to be tough

Richard Money is backing his young bucks to handle an “intimidating” stage tomorrow and throw a spanner in the works of the Leeds juggernaut.

The Saddlers boss believes his evolving team has what it takes to follow Carlisle and Cheltenham and become only the third League One team to beat Dennis Wise’s outfit in front of an expected five-digit crowd.

But Money acknowledges that the biggest 90 minutes his players have faced so far this season will give him a true indication of how far they have come following last season’s promotion.

Leeds bring a remarkable record to Walsall – and a huge following – as 15 victories have all but eradicated the 15 point deduction with which they began the campaign.

“That seems to have galvanised the club,” Money admitted. “They’ve got good players. You just have to give them their 15 points back and see where they would be to know that we are facing far and away the best team in the division.

“But I don’t want anyone to sit here thikning we don’t have a chance. We’re in good form and we will meet the challenge full on. It’s an opportunity some of our young lads particularly should relish.”

And Money’s radar will be tuned specifically to see how the Walsall starlets cope with what will be their first real taste of a big-match atmosphere on their home turf.

He added: “There’s a whole host of things that will give us an indication of how fr they have come.

“We said before the Forest match that the atmosphere would be up a level but here will be more intimidation tomorrow - very vocal away following and a real atmosphere of a big match.

“I think young players such as Gerrard, Dann and Fox have now had enough experience, even though they are still only in the 20, 21 bracket. But it will be interesting to see how Ishmel Demontagnac, Troy Deeney, Mark Bradley cope.

“But I think they can deal with it. We took a big boost from beating Forest here and this will have pretty much the same effect if we can beat Leeds.”

Money is without Michael Dobson and Paul Boertien - both hope to make comebacks in the reserves on Tuesday - but has on-loan Peter Sweeney available again after being ineligible for Tuesday’s FA Cup second round victory over Northampton Town.