Express & Star

Walsall reaction: Dean Smith on going top of the table

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Walsall boss Dean Smith was full of praise for his players after they made it six straight wins by thrashing Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

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Two goals from Romaine Sawyers, a Sam Mantom header together with an own goal secured the 4-0 victory on a sunny afternoon on the west coast.

The result saw the Saddlers move to the top of the League One table and means they remain unbeaten following an outstanding start to the 2015/16 campaign.

"It's very pleasing to be top of the table and it shows we have had a really good start," Smith said.

"To win six games on the spin is an achievement in itself and the players are beginning to realise there is a team here that can go on and do things.

"I can just see desire in the players to keep getting better and to continue to go out and win football matches.

"We are on a brilliant run and as a team you can see we are a threat."

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Walsall controlled the game from the moment Sawyers put them ahead mid-way through the half.

And Smith was pleased with how his players responded after a lacklusture opening 20 minutes.

"I didn't think we started the game well," he said.

"But we scored a good goal on the break and that calmed us down a little bit.

Walsall celebrate

"Before the game there was a lot of expectation on us to win but no team rolls over for you.

"That first goal settled us down and I thought from then on we controlled the game and scored some really good goals."

The boss, as has so often been the case this season, opted to change formation from Tuesday's win against Brighton with the Saddlers lining up

in a 3-5-2 system.

The switch meant Milan Lalkovic, man of the match against the Seagulls, had to make do with a place on the bench.

"The fluidity in the team at the moment is really pleasing - it's a dream for me as manager," Smith said.

"Having watched Blackpool I just felt it would suit us playing three at the back and I was proved right.

"It's always difficult making those decisions