Walsall legend Marsh backs boss

Walsall legend Chris Marsh today backed boss Chris Hutchings to solve the club's defensive crisis.

Jamie Vincent's shock decision to switch to Aldershot for family reasons yesterday has left the Saddlers with just three senior defenders.

Manny Smith, Clayton McDonald and Darryl Westlake are the only defenders with first team experience at the Banks's Stadium.

But with the club reeling from Vincent's exit - and Mark Hughes' decision to leave for North Queensland Fury - Marsh insists Hutchings will get it right.

He said: "You can't go into the season with just three defenders and Chris will have a plan for everything.

"He will get it right and he'll have a list with who he wants and he will try to get them. When players are out of contract things like this happen and Chris will have contingency plans."

First-year professional Alex Hickman and midfielders Richard Taundry and Matt Richards can plug the gap at the back.

But rookie defender Hickman is untried in League One and Marsh, who made 479 appearances in 13 years for the Saddlers, says Hutchings must get bodies in to bulk up the squad.

"Last season they did well but need more strength in depth," he said, with the Saddlers linked with ex-Bristol Rovers defender Aaron Lescott. "They need a couple of old heads and it's a squad game so maybe a couple more utility players who can fill in. They've got to strengthen everywhere."