Walsall 0 Bury 0 - analysis

Another cup defeat to lower league opposition left even more questions to be answered by the beleaguered Saddlers.

Sam Parkin's shoot-out miss proved decisive last night as, after another dour 0-0 showing, Walsall crashed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 5-4 on penalties to Bury.

Out of two cups at the first round stage (they lost to Accrington in the Carling Cup) and one win from their first seven games doesn't represent a positive start to the season. Boss Chris Hutchings knows it, the players know it and, above all, so do the fans.

The season is quickly edging towards the 10-game mark where both managers and players insist they should be judged.

But fans judge after every match. After every goal. After every kick.

Unfortunately, in the nature of today's game, time is not something which is generously handed out.

Supporters have already begun to judge. They voted with their feet on Saturday with the lowest league crowd at the Banks's for 11 years.

The optimism-filled opening weeks of the season have given way to doubts, worries and ambivalence.

Form, as the old adage goes, is temporary. Go through a patch like this halfway through the season and, while concerns would be raised, they wouldn't be voiced as loudly as they are now.

If the Saddlers suddenly go on a winning run, all will be forgotten but they are – so far – doing little to suggest they are going to turn the corner.

Is Hutchings' job under immediate threat? No, that would be absurd, but they have to start performing to ease the doubts that are creeping in. Not easy when you have tricky league trips to Norwich and Tranmere on the horizon.

Carrow Road on Saturday will prove a tougher test than Bury at home. Victory, or even a point, would go some way to silencing the doubters.

They proved last season, away at eventual champions Leicester, it is possible and Hutchings has got his side solid at the back, but it is at the expense of any attacking nous.

Again last night there was little or no creativity with only a half-fit Darren Byfield offering any encouraging signs.

Troy Deeney failed to shine, although there were signs a partnership with Byfield might develop, while Peter Till and, firstly, Matt Richards then Steve Jones, failed to provide any penetration on the flanks.

The fact remains they have still only scored one goal from open play – courtesy of an opposition player – and we are now in the second month of the season.

Something isn't right and it's going to take time to resolve it. But as we've said already, time isn't on the Saddlers' side.

It was their third game without a goal and there are unlikely to be many fans whose glass is half full today.

It's difficult to find any positives after two disappointing home outings where the entertainment value was virtually nil.

The optimist would point to two consecutive clean sheets, a feat managed just three times last season, and the fact the defence hasn't been unduly troubled.

Perhaps that is down to the failings of the opposition but you can only keep out what's in front of you and Saddlers have done that with relative ease.

Manny Smith is already a major success story, Darryl Westlake has slotted in with consummate ease and Manchester City loanee Clayton McDonald impressed on his debut last night.

But the pessimist would have countless rounds of ammunition.

The midfield is not creating, the strikers not yet firing and the whole team is stuck in a malaise which is indicative of the club as a whole.

The Saddlers were marginally better last night than their dour effort against Gillingham – but only just.

Walsall started brighter than against the Gills at the weekend but there was a hesitancy to attack with freedom.

The home side had several chances in the first half to exploit the Bury defence but were reluctant to go for the kill.

Byfield and Deeney linked for the latter to slice wide early on and McDonald saw his volley deflect wide. But they were rare moments in a half devoid of excitement.

Byfield should have shot when he opted to pass, while Bury did their best to liven up the evening when Jordan Robertson dragged wide.

Brian Barry-Murphy's 25-yard free-kick forced Rene Gilmartin into a smart save as the Shakers finished the opening period on top.

The visitors were dangerous but their final ball was letting Walsall off the hook. Smith and new-boy McDonald looked comfortable as Bury struggled to penetrate the hosts' backline.

Substitute Jones shot into the side netting for the Saddlers as penalties edged ever near and it was hardly a surprise the game was ultimately decided from 12 yards.

Parkin's opening gambit smacked against the inside upright and although Deeney, Richard Taundry, Jones and Richards were successful, it mattered little.

Barry-Murphy, Richie Baker, ex-Walsall man Andy Bishop, Ryan Lowe and Stephen Dawson all netted to send the Saddlers out.

By Nick Mashiter.