Neil Etheridge: We've got to buck up our ideas

Neil Etheridge says Walsall's players are fully aware they need to 'buck up their ideas' as they prepare to host rivals Shrewsbury Town tonight.

The Saddlers endured a miserable afternoon on Saturday as they were thumped 4-0 by promotion rivals Bradford at Valley Parade.

That result seriously dented their hopes of winning automatic promotion with Jon Whitney's side now needing to beat Shrewsbury tonight to have any realistic hope of finishing in League One's top two.

And Etheridge has promised fans they will see a reaction at the Banks's Stadium.

"We've got to buck our ideas up and continue the form we showed before the Bradford game," he said.

"Shrewsbury is a massive game now.

"We have to learn from Bradford but the important thing is to not dwell on it.

"We've still got to keep upbeat because we've got three games left and we still believe.

"There's nine points up for grabs and we look forward to hopefully picking up nine points from now until the end of the season."

Shrewsbury make the short journey along the M54 still battling to retain their League One status for next season.

And Etheridge, who admits Walsall let their supporters down on Saturday, has urged Saddlers fans to really get behind their team tonight.

"It's a massive game, it's at home and we hope the fans will come and support us," he said.

"We need them as much as possible in these last games of the season for our last push.

"We are all in the same boat; the players, the fans, the club in general.

"The boys have played a lot of games recently which has probably taken its toll.

"But we don't want to search for excuses. We want to move on. Tonight is a big game and we want as many people as possible at the game to be the the 12th man.

"We hope that the supporters stick behind us like they have all season and we hope to have another home victory as we seem to have turned our home form around over recent weeks."

Despite the result at Valley Parade, Etheridge was one of the few Saddlers players to come away with any credit after he made a string of fine saves to prevent the defeat from being even heavier.

But the Philippines international says he takes no satisfaction from playing well if the team lose.

"I'm playing quite well at the moment but it was disappointing to lose and concede four goals," Etheridge continued. "I can't be happy regardless of how many I kept out of the net.

"We win together and we lose together and now we are determined to move on quickly."

Saturday's game saw the Saddlers lose what had been a settled back four with Matt Pennington having been recalled by Everton and right-back Jason Demetriou missing out through injury.

Etheridge though doesn't believe that can be used as an excuse.

"Regardless of what team we put out, every player gives 100 per cent," the keeper said.

"Jon Whitney and everyone in the backroom staff have faith in every player that's played – that's why they were in the starting XI.

"Of course Matty Pennington played well when he came in but it's now the past, it's history.

"Jason has obviously picked up a knock and we hope to have him back as soon as possible.

"But we've still got to continue as a squad. I know there are 11 players on the pitch but it's a squad and a team game."