Darren Byfield’s admission on fans
Saturday 18th December 2010, 10:19AM GMT.
Walsall skipper Darren Byfield today admitted the onus is on the Saddlers to get their fans back on side.
Supporters’ group Unity were due to launch 2,000 balloons today to signify how many fans the club have lost since the end of the 2007-08 season.
But the postponement of the home clash with Southampton because of a frozen pitch has put their plans on ice.
The fans have become increasingly frustrated with the Saddlers’ season, with the club second bottom of League One, but Byfield insisted it is up to the players to change their minds.
“There’s no point saying ‘the fans aren’t doing this or that’ we have to deal with it,” he said. “We’ve got to make it great for them, we can set them off.
“If you’re telling yourself ‘the fans aren’t doing this’ it’s because we’re not doing what we should be doing on the pitch.”
“We can ask the fans to be a bit more patient with us but they pay their money and have a right to say what they want.
“We’ve got to set them off, we’ve got to give the fans something to shout about.”
Byfield is still out with a knee injury but is expected to step up his recovery after an injection this week.
The 34-year-old has been out since September and will be out until the new year but the club are hopeful his time on the sidelines is nearing an end.
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