Hutchings looking for staying power
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has warned his side they must not blow their big chance to prove their worth and challenged them to find their staying power.
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has warned his side they must not blow their big chance to prove their worth and challenged them to find their staying power.
The Saddlers hosts Brentford tomorrow still riding the wave of euphoria following their 2-1 win at Leeds on Tuesday.
But they have only won back-to-back games twice this season and Hutchings has told his men must show they can build on the performance tomorrow and against Yeovil on Tuesday.
He said: "It's the mental thing players have to adjust to and do it week in, week out.
"We've got two home games now, on our travels we've done well and have to capitalise on being at home. After any midweek result it's always the next game you have to look to and we'll see if we can do it.
"Against Bristol Rovers we had an excellent result, then didn't perform against Oldham and then went to Leeds, played in front of a big crowd against a team second in the league and did well."
Hutchings is hoping for a bumper crowd following their Elland Road victory, but understands his team must perform to keep the fans happy.
He said: "We had great support on Tuesday night and they will have enjoyed coming back. We want to thank them for that and get the support so we can generate some noise at home.
"How many we get depends on different scenarios, but we'd love the supporters to come out and get behind us so we can give them something to shout about."
Hutchings could include Steve Jones after the winger returned in the reserves on Wednesday from two months out with a groin problem, but Peter Till is out with a hamstring injury.
Brentford could leapfrog the 10th-placed Saddlers should they win and Hutchings admits Walsall owe the Bees, after they were dumped out of the FA Cup at Griffin Park in November.
The Walsall boss said: "They are right behind us, if they win they jump above us so it's a big game. We're trying to get up there, as they are, and their gaffer Andy Scott will have them well wound up.
"They're a very hard working side, their strikers caused us problems last year and we have to match them."
