Chris Hutchings vows to save Walsall
Thursday 23rd September 2010, 10:30AM BST.
Upbeat Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has vowed to steer the Saddlers up the table and insisted the drop zone doesn’t bother him.
The Saddlers could fall into League One’s relegation places for the first time under Hutchings if they lose at fellow strugglers Hartlepool on Saturday.
They are 18th and out of the bottom four on goal difference having lost their last four league games.
But, just seven outings into the season, Hutchings insists that their position isn’t a concern and the team can power away from early danger.
He said: “No, we’re not worried, we’re confident we can get up the table and be in with a shout because we’ve got good and experienced players who know the game.
“We’ve just got to tighten up a little bit and it will turn for us. If we play anything like we can then I don’t see a reason why we can’t win.
“It’s still early days but you want to find a bit of consistency and we’re not playing badly.
“If we were playing badly everyone is open to criticism and we’re not naive enough think otherwise but assistant Martin O’Connor and I watch the DVD on a Saturday night, Sunday morning and then sometimes with the players on a Monday and there’s not a lot wrong.
“It’s a fine dividing line. We’ve got good players. We’re close.”
But Hutchings will again be without crocked winger Steve Jones who is out with a twisted ankle, while Darren Byfield plus Richard Taundry are also at least two weeks away from a return after knee problems.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
They must’ve missed the first 30 mins of the Swindon game off your DVD Chris – we were awful!! Could’ve gone in 3 or 4 down! Sadly, pretty soon, after a few more successive defeats and no clean sheets, you might have to admit that playing “anything like we can” is pretty much how we’re playing. I hope you’re right Chris.
Report abuse
Honestly Chris, this team may be slightly better than the current position belies, however, a) we will not be in with a shout and b) with you as the manager we may well be still in this position come the end of the season. You are a clueless manager who is not making the best of what you have at your disposal.
Report abuse
Oh, and what use is Bryan Hughes when your style of play is for the defender to smash it upfield for the strikers to try and get on to? you can sign me up for a midfield position, would be much more interesting standing on the pitch and watching the ball fly over my head than watching from the stands.
Report abuse
I have the same faith in CH as all of those fans in the background of the photo. Such entertaining footie! Was it fancy dress day and everyone turned up dressed as seats?
Report abuse