Walsall manager Richard Money praised kid strikers Troy Deeney and Alex Nicholls for their display as an emergency strike force and said: “It did not worry me one bit to use them as the front two.”
Nicholls had started the game in attack as replacement for Tommy Mooney and Deeney was drafted into the attacking line from midfield when Michael Ricketts went off with a thigh injury before the break.
And Money said: “There have been people at this club, me included, who have been waiting to see Deeney and Nicholls play together at first team level.
“They have both been outstanding in the reserves and I thought their performances was exceptional.
“
“They had lots of efforts at goal and they combined well, held up the ball and chased everything.
“Of course you would like to have Mooney and Ricketts available for 90 minutes for all 46 games but that is not going to happen.
“This sort of thing has happened to us several times over the last few months when we have been forced to change the side but we just roll up our sleeves and get on with the job.”
He added: “I thought it was an outstanding cup-tie, especially in the second half from a team that gets younger and better.
“I could not be more proud of a group of players but I have to be fair to Millwall because they defended with their lives to make sure they got a replay at the very least. And I admire things like that.”
He went on: “I don’t think there would have been a younger team playing today than we had and it’s been the same for some weeks.
“In the last two League games, we have played with a side with an average age of 22 and that has got to be good news for everyone.”
The Saddlers boss also had praise for new signing Martin Brittain, who was forced into the action when Ricketts came off nine minutes before the break.
He took Deeney’s place on the right hand side of midfield and Money said: “I thought he did well. He showed some nice touches and he combined well with the other players.
“I thought he did particularly well on the right and he looks interesting.”
The former Newcastle and Ipswich player signed a short term contract on Friday and Money said: “I think he has to be pleased with what he did.”
A replay adds more pressure to the Walsall squad but Money said: “Those games only become a hindrance when you are not playing well.
“But at the moment we are in good form, we are a young team and have enough experienced players to see us through and the games cannot come too quickly for us.”
Share this article:
What are these?