Dean Smith: Summit holds no motivation - Video

Dean Smith insists the chance to go top of League One for the first time in 15 years is not a motivating factor ahead of tomorrow's derby with Coventry.

The Saddlers could reach the summit of the third tier for the first time since the 2000/01 campaign if they beat the Sky Blues and Gillingham lose at home to Wigan.

But Smith claims it is far too early to be looking at the table.

"I think the motivating factor, the biggest one, is it's the next game and we want to win it," said the boss. "We want to set our stall out at the start of the season and show people what we are about.

"We believe we have a lot of quality. That it is first vs third at the moment is not significant because it is too early.

"There are 43 games to go, a lot of games and a lot of points to play for.

"The biggest thing for us is it's the next game and if you can get three points you can chalk them off."

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Back in 2000, the Saddlers – then managed by Ray Graydon – shot to the top of the third tier, then Division Two, after winning their first five league games. They went on to finish fourth and were promoted via the play-offs.

Coventry currently sit top of the pile after tasting victory in their opening three fixtures. The Sky Blues narrowly avoided relegation on the final day last season but Smith insists their resurgence, under the guidance of former Albion boss Tony Mowbray, should come as no surprise.

"I was asked a question the other day whether it has taken you by surprise but no, they have really good players and a really good manager," he said. "We know how tough it is going to be.

"They have quality players at the club and we have always known that. We are going to have to be at our best. We believe we have quality players as well."

He added: "Tony is well known and well respected around these areas. We all know what a good manager he is.

"He did well at the end of last season, they stayed up and he is building a really good team."