Hutchings' tribute to Byfield
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings paid tribute to veteran striker Darren Byfield for blanking out his marriage break-up to star for the Saddlers.
Byfield, who has confirmed a very public split from pop-star wife Jamelia, took his season's tally to five with the Saddlers' second goal on Saturday.
Hutchings saluted the professionalism of his senior player.
He said: "He has knuckled down very well. He is a very good professional, he wants to win and has trained hard.
"We understand his off-field commitments are very difficult and that happens to a lot of people but he has remained very professional and I was delighted for him to score a goal. That will cheer him up.
"Sometimes playing and even training can be your release at times like this. When you are at home you tend to think about other things and that can weigh you down, so to get out and train and forget about it for a couple of hours can help.
"So to actually play does that, and then of course scoring is the icing on the cake. Knowing Darren he will want more goals. He is a good pro' and he will admit he has had a few chances to get more.
He is going along nicely and hopefully he will get a few more."
Hutchings admitted his side had to improve in the second half to make sure of victory.
The Banks's Stadium chief said: "In the first half I didn't feel we were quite at the races but it was a fantastic free-kick from Matty Richards that got us in front.
"In the second half we started quite brightly and Troy Deeney could have scored. He had a few chances but the goal took a bit of time coming.
"We know Darren has got goals like that in his locker and when he gets in those positions more often than not he scores. We were pleased it fell to him.
"Troy hit the post and he will be disappointed that he didn't score. Mark Bradley had a chance too and maybe there were one or two instances where we could have done a little better but overall it was a good three points for us."
