Richard O'Donnell: Wembley is not distracting Walsall

Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell insists thoughts of Wembley are not responsible for Walsall's sudden slump. more

The 26-year-old shot-stopper is adamant the upcoming Johnstone's Paint Trophy final has not become a distraction for the Saddlers, who have lost three of their last four games.

Dean Smith's men take on Bristol City on March 22 in what will be the club's first appearance at the home of English football.

More than 25,000 tickets have already been sold and excitement is building as the big day approaches, but O'Donnell claims players are solely focused on the league campaign.

"The final is still almost three weeks away so we've got a lot of games between now and then so our main focus is to get as many points as we can from those matches," he said.

"After we've finished our last league game before the final, then the manager will turn his attentions to Wembley.

"After it we will be straight back onto our league programme.

"It's not going to be a distraction.

"I don't think the gaffer needs to stress it to us - every player knows each and every game is important and every player here wants to be involved in the play-offs so that's the aim.

"We've got three or four games before Wembley so there are a lot of points up for grabs."

The recent run, which culminated in Saturday's sobering 2-0 home defeat to strugglers Leyton Orient, has left the Saddlers with much work to do if they are to reignite faint hopes of a play-off push.

But O'Donnell insists there is still enough time to put things right.

"We've got 13 league games left and anyone in this league is capable of going on a run and we're as capable as anyone," he said.

"If we can get a good run of results together it will put us right up there.

"On the flip side, if you lose a few games you can drop further down because it's that tight.

"I can't ever remember the league being this tight, which probably works in our favour, as it does to other clubs as well.

"If we can go on a run, it will put us right up there."