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Dean Smith: Wembley fired up blazing Saddlers

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Boss Dean Smith believes Walsall's first ever trip to Wembley has helped inspire his sides flying start to the new campaign.

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The Saddlers were one of only four Football League clubs never to have played at the iconic home of football before last season's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

And while they fell to a 2-0 defeat to eventual League One champions Bristol City on the day, Smith insists the occasion has made his players realise just what they can achieve.

Appetite

"We have had a good start and that doesn't come as a surprise to me at all," the boss said.

"Getting to Wembley last year has wet the appetite of a lot the players.

"Most of them have now been here for a few years, they know what we are about and they know what we can achieve.

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"They are starting to demand a lot more from each other now because they know what each other is capable of."

Meanwhile, Smith revealed he still prides himself on running the club with old fashioned values and has made known some of the rules he first brought in when he was appointed Walsall head of youth.

"The biggest thing for me is good old fashioned values," the boss said.

"When I first took over as head of youth, there were three rules I initially brought in.

"The first was that every player after every game would shake the hand of the coaches and the opposition.

"The second rule was that I did not want to see any parents having to carry any bags for their kids – that is down to the kids themselves – they are their bags.

"Finally, the third rule was that I didn't want to any parents cleaning their kids boots. The philosophy of this football club is to bring players through the right way.

"We want young, local players coming through and then we want to try and play an entertaining brand of football. Hopefully we will then get more people coming through the gates to watch."