Michael Ricketts says Walsall have adopted a siege mentality to prove their doubters wrong this season.

The striker netted the winner, his fourth of the campaign, in the 2-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round victory at Cheltenham which saw Saddlers come from behind last night.

As well as being four games from the Trophy final at Wembley, the Saddlers sit fifth in League One and are on a five-game unbeaten run, prompting Ricketts to hit out at their detractors.

“People said we were going to go down and it it did make for a bit of a siege mentality,” said the ex-England hitman.

“It is just pure stupid writing from people who do not understand football. If you look at the squad, even though it is small, it is packed with quality.

“We are quietly coming along and doing our job, we know what we have got in our dressing room. On the pitch we work hard and we are looking to ruffle a few feathers.”

Ricketts is targeting success on all frontsand isn’t worried about the potential backlog of games if the club continue to progress in the Trophy.

“Not many players get to play at Wembley,” he said. “We have all been around the block and we know October and November bring you more games. The more success you get the more games you get and at the moment we are enjoying it. There are no easy games.”