Jon Whitney delighted with smart Walsall players

Coach Jon Whitney hailed the "in game management" of Walsall's players after they began the post Dean Smith era by beating rivals Shrewsbury.

Goals from Milan Lalkovic, Paul Downing and Jordan Cook secured a 3-1 win against a Shrewsbury outfit who took a first half lead through Larnell Cole.

The Saddlers, under the management of Jon Whitney, John Ward and Neil Cutler, were helped in the second half after Salop midfielder Ian Black was sent off for two bookable offences. But Whitney felt his side deserved the win.

"Credit has to go to the players because I thought they were fantastic," he said.

"Dean Smith has left for his new venture but training has been excellent and they went to Shrewsbury determined to win the game.

"It was all about their in game management. We are trying to get these players to self-manage. We are really big on it in training. Every game we pull them apart and get them to problem solve.

"I actually said to the players they don't need us. They can do it themselves. Because their in game management is that good. I thought they were fantastic."

Despite Smith's departure, the Saddlers were deserved winners of the game that sees them move up to third in League One.

"We knew the Shrewsbury game would be a scrap because they had got themselves on a mini run," Whitney added.

"But as coaches we weren't here to dictate to the players we just wanted to make sure they worked hard so they had the freedom to play there football.

"There was no pressure. The only pressure came from ourselves. I said don't be nervous go out and enjoy the atmosphere because the following was fantastic and the fans played a massive part in the win.

"The result was thoroughly deserved. The sending off helped but we were on top then anyway."

Meanwhile, Mansfield yesterday issued a statement after their manager Adam Murray was mentioned in connection with the vacant job at the Banks's.

Murray has done an impressive job at Field Mill since replacing Paul Cox in November 2014, an appointment that saw him become the youngest manager in the Football League.

"The club is not surprised by the rumoured interest. It reflects the huge strides that have been made under his management," the statement read.

"Adam is under contract with the club and we are confident that he will continue to build on the work which he has started for many years to come."