Boss backs Walsall strikers to shine
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has backed his strikers to find their away form as fitness doubts hang over in-form winger Steve Jones.
The Saddlers have scored just four league goals away from the Banks's Stadium this season, three coming in the 3-2 win at Tranmere last month, and head to miserly Colchester on Saturday.
Jones has three goals in three games but is a doubt after leaving Essington this morning without training because of illness.
Colchester have conceded just 10 goals this season and only two in their last six games, but Hutchings reckons strikers Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney can break their resistance.
The manager said: "It's always difficult scoring goals away from home because the emphasis is on the home team to create and produce. The crowd get behind them and you're on the back foot.
"On occasion you are always going to get a blank sheet but on others, like Tranmere, you are going to get three.
"At MK Dons we could have scored three goals, but it wasn't to be. We know we're going to get chances, it's a matter whether we take them or not."
The Saddlers' only other League One strike on the road came from an Andy Whing own goal in the opening day win at Brighton.
Hutchings believes his side must be able to take their chances.
He said: "If you miss a chance you can ask whether it was the right technique, were you composed or not, were you under pressure? That's the 65 million dollar question."
A win, coupled with other teams dropping points, could see the 11th-placed Saddlers leap into League One's top six.
But Hutchings may be without Jones who is struggling with a virus and can't call on Richard Taundry either, who is recovering from a pulled hamstring.
The Saddlers are also hoping to sign a loan goalkeeper in time for the trip to Essex, as cover for Clayton Ince after Rene Gilmartin's groin injury.
