Jones looking for substance not style

Walsall winger Steve Jones has claimed the players are ready to ditch style for substance if it nets them results.

Chris Hutchings' men go to Exeter tomorrow looking to erase memories of the 3-0 defeat at Southend on Tuesday which kept them in League One limbo.

Lodged in mid-table with nothing but pride to play for, the Saddlers are desperate to end the season with a flourish but one win in six games has hampered their progress.

Jamie Vincent called on his team-mates yesterday to ensure they are mentally prepared for a fight at St James's Park and Jones has followed suit by insisting results, not performances, matter.

The 33-year-old said: "You've got to have the endeavour and attitude right before you start playing.

"It's a results business and we want to win as many games as we can. We know it's going to be a scrappy game and it will be good to get the points.

"They get in your faces so we have to try and battle and see who comes out on top. No one likes to go down there, it's a tight old ground and the fans are on your back. We're professionals and we have to go there and get the points.

"We can't go up or down so we've just to go win as many games as we can and see where it takes us."

Jones insists the Saddlers will go all out for victory to put their poor performance in Southend right.

He said: "Tuesday was a long trip and none of us really turned up, it was bound to end in defeat because no-one played well. We have to get it out of our minds and play well.

"It's always going to linger in your mind if you play badly. You always want to play well in every game. It's a weird league, anyone can beat anyone. We know Exeter are going to be strong at home but we owe it to the fans to perform.

"If we get three points the fans will be happy because it's a tough place to go. We've got to be strong and hopefully we can nick something."

Manager Chris Hutchings has also warned his men their minds must be right with Exeter having beaten Leeds and Bristol Rovers at home this season, as well as picking up draws with Norwich and Millwall.

He said: "There are no gimmies. We have to respect Exeter, because they played very well against us at the Banks's. We went in at half time 2-0 up that day. We ran out 3-0 winners but it wasn't a 3-0 scoreline, it's going to be tough.

"They are like Yeovil, it's a long way to go. I don't know if the trip takes it out of people and you get a little complacent but we've got to make sure were ready for the fight.

"They're fighting for survival, as Southend were. That was a wake-up call so we know what it's all about. You've got no given right to win."

Exeter dropped to third-from-bottom thanks to Southend's win over the Saddlers in midweek, but are just one point from safety.

Striker Marcus Stewart insists their visitors will be a tough prospect, despite them having little to play for.

The former Bristol Rovers frontman believes putting another nail in Exeter's League One coffin will be a motivating factor for Walsall.

He said: "They will still want to win. I know what it is like as a player when it comes to games like this. You look at the team you are playing and think to yourselves 'let's send them down' or 'let's stop them getting promoted.'

"That was my motivation as a player when I was in that situation."