Hutchings backs shot-shy Walsall

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has backed his shot-shy side to rediscover their shooting boots and isn't worried about their lack of chances.

The Saddlers are bottom of the League One shooting charts with just 102 efforts on target and 99 off, while tomorrow's hosts Oldham cannot boast about their own record either.

Dave Penney's side are third bottom, just above Exeter, with 103 shots testing the keeper, 130 attempts high and wide and are the joint-lowest scorers in the division with Stockport – having netted just 23 times.

Goals haven't been a problem for Hutchings' men, as they have only drawn a blank seven times in the league this season, and the manager doesn't care about the scoreline as long as his team win.

He said: "You always want to win games 3-0 or 4-0 but Arsenal won a championship winning 1-0 every week. You can arguably say maybe they didn't create many chances then.

"They had Ian Wright and people who were scoring for fun but they kept on winning 1-0 and that's all that matters.

"You're not going to score with every opportunity you get, but you have to keep getting in there and sooner or later you will take the chances."

Oldham have the worst home attack in League One, along with Tranmere, scoring just 11 times at Boundary Park, while Walsall have shuffled their strikeforce.

Alex Nicholls and Troy Deeney are likely to start again ahead of Darren Byfield, with Sam Parkin struggling with a groin injury.

Hutchings believes leaving eight-goal Byfield on the bench was vindicated by Nicholls' performance in Tuesday's 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

The manager said: "I've changed one or two things round and that was needed. If you get the right result it's the right thing to do but if you don't people question you. Players sometimes need a jolt here and there to get a little bit extra again.

"Sometimes if you're rested you think 'the manager is on my case because if I don't perform someone will take my shirt.'

"We wanted to freshen it up and Darren has played a lot of games. The last few at home have been on very heavy pitches and when that happens, as a striker you lose that sharpness.

"Alex has been excellent in training and is ready for a chance. He is a threat going in behind and we've got different strikers, they all complement one another."

But it is at the back where the Saddlers have flourished recently and Jamie Vincent's switch to centre-back has been key to their defensive revival.

Three clean sheets in four games highlights their new resilience and Hutchings believes Vincent's influence has been crucial.

He said: "The biggest thing is his experience. He's vocal and helps out players, he can get that across being more central. If you're left or right-back you're a bit isolated, but when you're central your voice can be heard more and that's been vital in the last few weeks.

"But they all know they have to perform to keep the shirt and give me a headache."

Tomorrow's clash represents the chance to put vital distance between them and the bottom half, while cementing the Saddlers' place in the top 10 but Hutchings admits they must handle their opponents with care.

He said: "It's not about distances between people, it's about three points and that's the ultimate aim.

"They've got Jason Price and Pawel Abbott up front who are goalscorers, so we have to be on our mettle. There're no easy games. We have to take the game to them and give them a few problems.

"It's a tough game, it's always been tough to go there. It's not the biggest of dressing rooms, it's three sided and we know it's going to be difficult but we're not fearful.

"We're professionals, so no matter where we play we have to do the best we can, it's only three points wherever you play."

Struggling Oldham are likely to recall Joe Colbeck for Danny Whitaker in the only change to the team who lost 4-2 at Swindon on Tuesday.

The Latics continue to miss Jon Worthington (ankle), Kelvin Lomax (groin), Andy Holdsworth and Rob Purdie (both knee).