Walsall in need of a lucky break - Sam Mantom

Sam Mantom today claimed all Walsall need to end their current slide is some luck and better referees.

The Saddlers have not won for nine games and are almost out of play-off contention. They came within minutes of ending the run on Rotherham on Saturday but were denied by Nicky Adams' late equaliser, which deflected off Saddlers defender Paul Downing.

Midfielder Mantom said:

"The general consensus in the dressing room is we just need that little bit of luck. I think every team goes up and down with luck all season but in the last few games I don't think we have had a stroke of luck at all."

Saddlers also believe they have not had the rub of the green from officials. Mantom missed three games through suspension after being sent off at Preston, while on Saturday Ben Purkiss was dismissed for two bookable offences.

"The sending-offs are killing us," added Mantom. "Hopefully we can get some good refs soon."

The winless run has drawn comparison with last season, in which the Saddlers went 16 games without a victory at one stage.

Mantom joined from Albion midway through that run and insists luck is all they need to end the current slump.

"I joined last year when we were nine games without a win and we are at that stage now," he said.

"Nobody can really put their finger on why it's happened and I think the gaffer is still puzzled.

"It's just that little bit of luck. If their shot on Saturday hits the bar and goes over we get three points. We just have to stick together. Even the players who are not in the squad and on the bench, we have to pull together.

"We are a good team. We go into every game wanting to win, sometimes you don't get the results and it can affect confidence and the way you want to play.

"We have nine games left and hopefully we can win a majority of them and see if other teams slip up."