Martin O’Connor on Walsall strength
Wednesday 22nd December 2010, 10:55AM GMT.
Martin O’Connor has insisted there are no “weak links” in Walsall’s squad ahead of their massive festive fixtures.
The assistant manager believes the players are ready for battle in games which could define their season.
They are due to travel to relegation rivals Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day, weather permitting, before hosting Dagenham & Redbridge next Tuesday in a crunch Christmas double-header.
The Saddlers go to promotion chasing Peterborough on January 3 between playing struggling Notts County and Tranmere, with O’Connor expecting a united front.
He said: “At the moment we’re all together, there are no weak links at the training ground, we’re all focused and positive.
“We’re still frustrated, our league position isn’t what we wanted at the start of the season but we’ve taken everything in.
“We’re working hard and trying our best to get the best out of the players. If we keep working hard things will turn.”
O’Connor insisted the management are still targeting to better last season’s finish of 10th in League One, despite currently sitting second bottom.
He said: “There are plenty of games and plenty of points available. At the start of the season we were looking to better where we finished last season.
“With the points available it’s still a target for us but we have to look to the next game.”
An unbeaten festive period would give the Saddlers renewed hope of avoiding the drop, but O’Connor believes it’s imperative they remain focused.
He added: “When we win I’m not elated or going mad but when we lose I’m not despondent, depressed or suicidal.
“You have to keep it on an even keel and work hard every day to improve the results.”
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.
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Martin,
Please don’t sully your glorious Saddlers legacy any further by spouting such nonsense… and ask your boss to quit whilst you’re on please.
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He is right there are no weak links. In fact, there are no links at all. That is the problem.
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Martin and Chris…You Are The Weakest Links…Goodbye :)
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Better last seasons tenth…….
If he gets that prediction correct i will run through Walsall town centre naked.
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If they have to say anything why can’t the club say things like we are so disapointed with the first half of the season, we are in a massive releagtion battle, we’ll sweat blood and tears to keep walsall in the league. Not the usual tripe of, things are great we’ve just been unlucky and no there are NO weak links. We’ve got PR on par with the iraqi information minister.
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No weak links in Walsall, hang on while I roll around the floor in fits of laugher…
Where do you start..
Well lets start with Old JB himself… weak the man has no back bone any other chairman in any league would have given the manager the boot with the record CH has.
And talking of CH there is another weak link.. clueless totally clueless.
What about the press office at Walsall every other story that comes out of there is so and so sound battle cry.
and it goes on and on and on…
O’Connor we await with bated breath your next insightful remark.
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BINGO!
I’ve been waiting ages for O’Connor to add to the long list of management and players assuring us all is well.
At last! Where is my prize?
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Would this be the same squad that Hutchings and O’Connor have assured us has been strong enough since the summer? If our squad are so strong then why are we in the position we are in? Oh yes, sorry I forgot it’s all down to bad luck, playing well but not getting the breaks and that all we need to do is watch the DVD and everything will be ok, yawn. After our performances and results this season they should do their talking on the pitch. How stupid do they think we are?
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Question: What’s the worst punishment a Walsall player or other member of staff can get?
Answer: Be forced to be interviewed because the comments from the “fans” are always, without fail, going to be negative.
Lighten up folks.
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Well they should stop talking tripe then. We are in a relegation battle not trying to improve on a 10th place finnish as MOC suggests. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to sorting it out!
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