Hutchings wants no Halloween scares

Chris Hutchings shouts the orders. Walsall manager Chris Hutchings believes Wycombe’s troubles could come back to haunt his side if they don’t take them seriously.

The Saddlers are eager to avoid a Halloween horror show at League One’s basement side, who have won just once all season and fired manager Peter Taylor three weeks ago.

New boss Gary Waddock has drawn his opening two games after arriving from Aldershot, but the Chairboys are still rooted to the bottom of the table.

Hutchings has told his team they must arrive at Adams Park in mind, body and most importantly spirit to take the points.

He said: “A new manager has come in with new ideas and the players will have a point to prove.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re 100 per cent focused and have the luck we didn’t have last week to turn chances into goals.

“Gary would have worked on things by now and will be thinking he’s getting there after two draws.”

Waddock has overseen 1-1 draws at home to Colchester and away at Exeter – Saddlers’ last two opponents – and Hutchings took advice from pal and Colchester boss Aidy Boothroyd.

He said: “They played Colchester in Gary’s first game, Aidy said they worked extremely hard and were difficult to break down.

“A new manager has come in and he has got a reaction. We know it’s going to be tough.”

Jamie Vincent is a doubt for Walsall with a calf injury but Hutchings confirmed it is not as bad as first feared.

The manager said: “He had a scan which didn’t reveal any real tear or pull. It remains to be seen if he’s available.”

Steve Jones (virus), Sam Parkin (back) and Richard Taundry (hamstring) are all in contention but goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin’s hamstring tear keeps him out.

See Also: