Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Caretaker rues a minute of madness
Wednesday 12th January 2011, 9:03AM GMT.
Caretaker manager Dean Smith was left to rue a minute of madness as another Walsall late show rescued a point at Bristol Rovers.
Second-half goals from Will Hoskins and Jo Kuffour – with just 79 seconds between them – had the Saddlers reeling last night before they hit back to secure a 2-2 draw.
Aaron Lescott’s 83rd-minute equaliser, against his former club, saw the Saddlers claim a point after Will Grigg’s first senior strike gave them an early lead.
But the Saddlers have now conceded 12 goals in their last four games and Smith knows they cannot keep slipping up at the back if they want to win their League One relegation battle.
He said: “I’m massive on the mental side of the game and we can’t allow a goal against us to make us so fragile.
“We went to sleep and they punished us. It was seven minutes into the second-half and it was disappointing.
“We had a poor start to the second-half against Tranmere, so maybe I ought to readdress my half time team talks.
“Their change at half time, when they brought Kuffour on, was a good change for them and him and Hoskins are two lively lads.
“They linked up well and changed it for Bristol Rovers.”
But Smith refused to dwell on any disappointment and insisted the Saddlers’ first-half display against Rovers, who were under the stewardship of David Penney for the first time, should have been rewarded with more than just one goal.
The caretaker boss said: “The first-half was as well as we have played, certainly in my two games.
“They came out of the blocks exactly like they had finished off at Tranmere and it was a fantastic first-half performance.
“The only things which were missing were a couple more goals. I felt we had the impetus right from the kick-off.
“They gave everything, the work rate and commitment was there along with some good, counter-attacking football.
“In the second-half the guys showed a lot of character.”
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