Walsall architects of own downfall

Walsall striker Alex Nicholls admits the players have been the architects of their own downfall this season and has warned his team-mates they cannot let it happen again.

The Saddlers host Tranmere tomorrow following a morale-boosting four-point haul against Stockport and Wycombe over the Easter weekend.

With just six wins in their last 22 outings, the Saddlers have struggled in the second-half of the season but have stayed out of serious relegation trouble and sit 13th in League One.

But Nicholls believes they only have themselves to blame for the season's premature end and must go some way to putting it right in their final six matches.

He said: "It's disappointing when you look back, because we were in such a positive position in December and we've let it drop. It's something which needs to be looked at.

"We haven't been beaten by a lot of quality, it's been a downfall of our own making and it's something which has happened quite a lot over the season.

"I don't think we know as a squad what it is. If we did know we'd be able to put our finger on it, everything would still be rosy and we would still be up there.

"We've been inconsistent ever since we beat Yeovil in December, but we've got a very young team and young players are going to be inconsistent."

Nicholls is set to start in his favoured striking berth as Troy Deeney completes his suspension following his red card at Stockport last Saturday, but is frustrated with his lack of scoring chances.

He said: "I'd like to have scored a few more goals but the way we've been playing as a team is disappointing. We haven't had that many chances.

"If I was getting a lot of chances and missing the target, then I'd be really disappointed in myself but we haven't created a lot.

"If you're playing up front you are looked at to create things, but you need the service and need to get in good positions to do that.

"I don't think we've been doing either and it's something we need to put right. It's something we've been working on in training, being more positive with and without the ball."

The 22-year-old is aiming to gun down a struggling Tranmere side who have won just once in their last six games, leaving them fourth bottom.

Boss Les Parry took charge of Rovers in October after John Barnes' disastrous reign at Prenton Park and is still club physio despite his managerial duties.

Manager Chris Hutchings has great respect for the man who has been Rovers' medical marvel for 17 years.

He said: "Les has done a great job since he's taken over and I take my hat off to him, because he's head cook and bottle washer, he's doing everything up there and that's what you have to do sometimes.

"They've got a chance of staying up and, as we've seen in the, past teams can get out of trouble. They are a threat and we've got to be aware of it. There are no gimmes in the league."

With promotion-chasing Huddersfield and Swindon to face next week, Hutchings refuses to take Tranmere lightly following their surprise 3-1 win over leaders Norwich last week.

He said: "Everything went for them, the sending off, a terrible back pass and the handballs which went against Norwich were a joke. But they got the result and were probably saying it was about time, so good luck to them.

"We've got to make sure we're focused and get the three points which is the most important thing.

"They battled very well against Norwich, it was a good team performance and you can't take that away from them."

The next three games are against teams fighting on both fronts and Hutchings will not prepare any differently as they look to sound the death knell on their opponents' seasons.

He said: "I'd like to be a party pooper, whether they be at the top or bottom of the league. We've got points to prove to ourselves, the target is how far we can get up the league.

"We've got to try and win all our games, it's as simple as that. I'm always one for taking one game at a time.

"It's the same old sad cliche but if you put yourself under pressure to win the first one and you don't, you put yourself under even more pressure to win the next two against teams who are flying in the division.

"Let's get Saturday out of the way first."

Tranmere are without suspended trio Andy Robinson, Terry Gornell and Paul McLaren while Shaleum Logan is also missing with a back injury.