Walsall boss Jon Whitney: There is no pressure on Saddlers

Walsall boss Jon Whitney insists there is no pressure on his promotion-chasing side as they get set for their frantic run-in.

The Saddlers, who face Oldham this afternoon, have eight League One fixtures remaining – six of which will be played in the next 17 days.

But despite being embroiled in the battle to win automatic promotion, Whitney has told his side to go out and play with freedom.

"For me, pressure and anxiety come when you are asked to do something you can't do," he said.

"We are fighting to win promotion and these are the moments in football you have to enjoy.

"We have got an eight-game mini season and we will go in each game to be attacking, to play with a good defensive shape and to win.

"It's going to be enjoyable and we won't ask the players to do anything they can't do.

"We just tell them to get their work ethic right, to express themselves within our team ethos and to work for the team.

"If for one of them a game isn't quite going right, they know if they keep working and keep going they will get a chance to put it right in the next game.

"The only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves."