Norwich 0 Walsall 0 - match report

Questions have been asked - and on Saturday Walsall went a long way to delivering some answers, writes

.

The stalemate at Norwich restored some confidence after a difficult couple of weeks. There were few who expected anything from Carrow Road so a point was welcome - as was a third successive clean sheet.

Manager Chris Hutchings has brought discipline to the side and they're starting to follow his orders. At Carrow Road, they were solid, composed, assured, and professional.

This could start to give the fans more belief but some may point out that they still have just one win in eight games.

The main worry, though, is goals. The Saddlers haven't scored for 371 minutes.

Darren Byfield could be the man to solve that problem and he should help big hope Troy Deeney get back on track.

Deeney is missing his partnership with departed former England striker Michael Ricketts. Even though they still speak regularly, that's not the same.

Byfield could become the 21-year-old's new mentor and use his experience and intelligence to help Deeney return to last season's form.

As for Saturday, Walsall cruised to a shut out with relative ease. There was no panic and few problems.

It helped that Norwich lumped the ball forward at every opportunity.

Manny Smith and Clayton McDonald dealt easily with their attacking efforts.

McDonald in particular was outstanding.

The Manchester City loan defender was strong and powerful and read the game excellently.

Hutchings will want to tie him down longer term - budget allowing.

But when skipper Mark Hughes and the crocked Stephen Roberts return he will have defenders in abundance.

So, would the Saddlers be able to afford to keep him if they have bodies available?

He has dovetailed perfectly with Smith - the undoubted success story of the embryonic season.

A year ago questions remained about the 20-year-old's ability now the defender is the lynchpin at the back and he's learning fast.

The Saddlers arrived in Norfolk searching for their first win since the opening day and, but for a little more composure, they would have snatched it.

They had learned from their Charlton experience. At The Valley they froze.

At Carrow Road they relaxed and took a deserved point.

They pressed the Norwich midfield and defence and rarely allowed them time on the ball.

They had a game plan, stuck to it and pulled it off.

The Canaries started brightly and the Saddlers were also quickly in their stride, hassling and harrying.

Indeed, they had the better of the opening exchanges as Byfield planted a free header wide after good work from Dwayne Mattis, Peter Till and Darryl Westlake.

It was more than a presentable chance for the striker and, had he been match sharp, he'd have snapped it up.

The half finished without a shot on target from either side and it was the same after the break.

Byfield wasted another good chance when he shot wildly across the face of goal before Richards' awful pass set up a Norwich attack and, thankfully, Simon Lappin skewed his shot wide.

The hosts breached the Saddlers' defence just after the hour when Michael Nelson powered in from Paul McVeigh's corner but it was disallowed for a push.

The Saddlers deserved their slice of luck and they got another one soon after when Cody McDonald broke down the right and Smith was lucky not to concede a penalty after grabbing a handful of the striker's shirt before blocking his eventual shot.