Darryl Westlake's plea to Walsall fans

Walsall defender Darryl Westlake has pleaded with fans to back the team after an alarming dip in attendances.

The right-back is desperate for the Saddlers faithful to show their support despite the team suffering four defeats in their opening five home games.

They booed the team off the pitch after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Colchester, which attracted just 3,416 - just days after the Banks's Stadium's record low of 1,793 against Chesterfield.

Westlake wants bigger and better support by the time the Saddlers return home against Swindon on September 18.

He said: "You want them to sing a bit more, which will help you raise your game and raise the team's game.

"When you go away from home fans make you feel like you don't want to be there so I think they should start singing more and cheering the team on at home.

"I like playing in front of the home fans because I can show them my ability but they can get on your back sometimes, you have to get on with it."

Manager Chris Hutchings insisted yesterday he wasn't aware of the fans' frustrations at the end of the game and Westlake knows the only way to put it right is to win at Rochdale on Saturday.

He said: "We just need to starting winning, we'll do it in training all this week and hopefully against Rochdale we'll get the three points.

"We just need to create more in the final third, get more shots and crosses in and look a better team.

"At the back we're doing OK even though we haven't kept a clean sheet yet. We just need to keep working on the final third in training."

Westlake has targeted a pivotal role in revitalising the Saddlers as he aims to build on Saturday's his man of the match performance.

"I just want to keep on doing well in the game and get more games I did last season and chip in with a few goals," said the 19-year-old.

"You've got to take your chance and if the gaffer gives you the opportunity you've got to take it with both hands.

"I've just got to keep playing games now and hopefully I can stay in the first team.

"I'm still young and learning and I've got to keep trying my hardest."