Analysis: Strong defensive foundations remain the backbone in resilient Walsall win
Solid, resilient and equipped for all scenarios: Walsall are beginning to show all the ingredients needed to push on again this season.
Mat Sadler needed a strong start to the season after the disappointing end to the previous campaign and five wins from the opening seven games is just the tonic.
Walsall made it three 1-0 wins on the spin with their latest success over Chesterfield to move level on 15 points with fellow early pace setters Gillingham and Swindon Town respectively.
Daniel Kanu opened his goal scoring account for Walsall in the 43rd-minute with what proved to be the winner, but they had to dig in once reduced to 10-men.
Charlie Lakin was shown a second yellow card midway into the second half, with Sadler describing his first booking as a "disgraceful decision" afterwards.
Yet Walsall were able to demonstrate their resilient streak and tame any storm that Chesterfield were expected to inflict.
3 clean sheets in a row for Walsall
Instead, Myles Roberts went largely untested and that was a credit to the Walsall defence, who have not conceded for 292 minutes in League Two (excluding additional time).
The Saddlers have conceded the fewest goals in the division (four goals) - an average of just 0.6 per 90 in League Two.
Chesterfield had over twice as many touches inside the opposition box (28) but failed to register a single shot on target.
Aden Flint was key (again)
Sadler has clearly settled in his back-three and Aden Flint is a key anchor in the middle. He just provides a calmness, which is exactly what the young players around him need.
Lewis Warrington spoke of the importance of having someone of his experience and knowhow behind him prior to the game and Flint's influence on the rest of the team cannot be underestimated.
