Jason Demetriou: Promotion belief is strong at Saddlers

Defender Jason Demetriou insists Walsall's players still have the belief needed to achieve their promotion dreams.

The Saddlers saw their hopes of reaching the Championship dealt a setback last week when popular boss Dean Smith left the Banks's Stadium to take over the reins at Brentford.

Despite their manager moving on, Walsall remain unbeaten under caretaker trio Jon Whitney, John Ward and Neil Cutler with the derby win at Shrewsbury followed by an FA Cup draw at Chesterfield.

And Demetriou is adamant he and his team-mates have what it takes to join Smith in the Championship next season.

"The belief in this group is massive – it is absolutely still there," Demetriou said. "We believe that we are one of the best teams in the division.

"Dean Smith and Richard O'Kelly put their stamp on things but things are continuing exactly where they left off.

"Jon Whitney, John Ward and Neil Cutler have done a great job. We had a good week with them. They didn't change much, just a few little things and they are running things well."

Walsall will be in the hat for tonight's FA Cup third round draw after sharing the spoils in the 1-1 draw with Chesterfield on Saturday.

Despite admitting the result was fair, Demetriou said the players were disappointed not to win the game after The Spireites pulled level through a controversial free-kick.

"For the free-kick, it was a foul on Adam Chambers not the other way around," Demetriou said. "But as a defence we switched off."

Demetriou joined Walsall in the summer from Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta after being convinced to come back to England by Smith.

But while Smith has moved on, the 28-year old is delighted to be a Saddler.

"I came here because I knew Dean but that is football," Demetriou added. "

I am still very happy I came here. It's a great club."