Saddlers boss Richard Money hailed the home supporters after a passionate crowd of 5,745 roared his team to victory.
He said they put on a united front which helped his players overcome the disastrous early setback.
Money criticised the fans last month claiming, they were not being vocal enough, but he was delighted with their response on Saturday.
He said “There was a real togetherness between the players and the supporters today.
“The backing that we received was the best that it has been here in my two years.
“They gave us what we asked for and contributed to our victory. When the goal went in I thought we had a period for 10 minutes were we struggled a bit and that’s where the crowd came into their own, for the first time in the two years since I’ve been here.
“They really kept us going and we said to the players at half time that at times they’ve been very quiet but it certainly wasn’t the case today.
“If any one wants to know why I’ve said what I’ve said in the past then today’s game shows exactly why.
“We were together today. I think the fans could see the result meant a lot to the team and their efforts on the terraces were absolutely first class.
“I think it was one of the reasons we were able to turn it around.”
Money also praised his players and said they have showed a “never-say-die attitude” throughout the season.
He said: “I thought that it was a really brave performance.
“It’s never easy to bounce back from conceding an early goal but the players showed tremendous character.
“The one thing that you can say about our team all season is that we’ve been competitive and we’ve always had this never say die attitude.”
Money was not interested in discussing the sending off which gave his side a numerical advantage for the second half.
But Rovers boss Ronnie Moore was left fuming by the decision and claimed it changed the game.
He even suggested Carl Boyeson had been Walsall’s 12th man and accused Betsy of diving throughout the game.
Moore said: “Nothing went our way after the opening goal.
“It was 12 against 10 today, that’s the hard thing for us. I will hold my hands up if I am wrong, but it was a massive decision to make.
“Officials make life-changing decision in some situations and that was such a blatant massive decision to make.
“I think one of the linesmen wanted to referee and he didn’t see a foul on Ian Goodison which should have been a penalty – 11 v 11 is tough, but 12 against 10 is even tougher.”
“We have lost today because of a decision. When we play our games we need people who are not easily persuaded and to be conned into a penalty by Betsy, I think he’s had nine point nine all afternoon. There is too much diving about.”
He also revealed he asked the referee to review the incident after the game but said he probably would not launch a full appeal.
Moore also admitted the result blows the race for sixth place wide open and both he and Money agreed there will be more twists and turns to come before the season is over.
5 Comments
DD……..you have the fans on your side, so now explain to the board that if they attract in bigger crowds with offers and slightly cheaper prices, then the crowd can roar the club into the Championship………….IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE IS IT MR WHALLEY?
Oh and can we have performances like Satuarday’s at every game please, not too much to ask players earning £1000 a week is it……90 minutes of complete focus and effort, just remember the rest of us have to 40 hours+ per week! Yes I know they train hard but the 90 mins on the pitch is where they earn their money that we put in their pockets……COME ON LADS!
Oh and we won’t miss many penalties I hope!
As we didnt have a game on Saturday I went to watch Walsall. A good display with a vocal partisan crowd. Cracking lower league stuff. ,
I did thirty hours from Thursday at 6pm until 9am on Saturday - just to go to the game. A bit of thanks would be nice for that!!!
Well Swampy Saddler, you really do sum up the grumpy Walsall fans. You could have easily written a nice note to praise the performance but yet somehow manage to turn a positive to a negative…… Is there much point writing the last comment? Oh and we won’t miss many penalties I hope! I tell you what if your so bitter about your 40 hours a week then stick it and do us all a favour and Jog On!!
Absolutely, Reading Saddler. Moaning, droning whingers like Swampy Saddler are just the kind of fan who give Walsall supporters a bad name and leave Money - and, by extension, the team - so hacked off. If you do 40 hours a week, Swampy, I pity your poor work mates!