Dean Smith wants a win from Walsall

Walsall boss Dean Smith has challenged his players to get back to winning ways – starting against Barnsley tonight.

The Saddlers fell to only their second league defeat of the season on Saturday as Chesterfield left the Banks's Stadium with a 2-1 win.

But they can put that defeat behind them when they take on Lee Johnson's side who have lost in each of their last four outings.

Smith said: "We're looking forward to the game. It's a good opportunity to bounce back. We've done so already this season after the defeats against Bury and Chelsea in the cup.

"It's nice that after 13 league games, Chesterfield was only our second defeat. Our reactions have been really good from the previous defeats and our performance levels in all 13 games have been good."

Walsall have injury concerns over Neil Etheridge, Andy Taylor and James O'Connor, while the game is likely to come too early for Sam Mantom, who was stretchered off in the defeat to the Spireites.

Smith said: "Neil is a doubt because he had stitches in his knee. Taylor and O'Connor are 50-50. We're waiting on Sam Mantom. We're going to leave it until the last minute before we make a decision."

The Saddlers enter the game with the best away record on the league but, despite Barnsley's poor run, Smith believes they are not to be taken lightly.

He said: "Our form is strong because the players have put a lot of hard work in and they have an understanding of what we're trying to do.

"There's a difference between trying not to lose and trying to win – and we're trying to win each game.

"Barnsley are a really good footballing team. Lee Johnson has done well there and they've got some really good players.

"They'll be missing Conor Hourihane who got injured but it'll be a tough game for us. We got well beaten there last year and our performance wasn't very good. We need to address that."