I had to axe stars insists Walsall boss

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has admitted he had to axe his under-performing players because of their clangers – but insisted their time will come again.

The Saddlers boss is still under pressure, despite Saturday's 2-1 win over Exeter which hauled them out of League One's drop zone.

They visit fellow strugglers Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend in another must-win clash, with their five loan stars set to feature again.

David Davis, Ryan McGivern, Reuben Reid, Andrew Davies and Martin Devaney have ridden to the rescue as Walsall bid to recover from their awful start.

Alex Nicholls and Oliver Lancashire were dropped on Saturday, after others suffered a similar fate, with Hutchings insisting changes had to be made.

He said: "They have all played a few games and kept making mistakes so sooner or later we had to change it.

"They have had enough chances and no matter when you have a chance you have to grasp it.

"If you don't, you get a set back and you have to work your way to the front again.

"It's a fine dividing line and we needed a little bit of luck on Saturday.

"In recent games we haven't had that and individual mistakes have cost us."

But Hutchings insisted he still has faith in his permanent players, despite the Saddlers winning just three of their opening 11 League One games.

He said: "I've got belief in the players, one or two have helped and we're thankful to the clubs for allowing us to have them.

"I certainly feel they've made a difference, without a doubt, but there were very good performance from everyone on Saturday.

"While they are here let's make sure the younger players learn and if we can keep them longer we may do so but we're looking to get this month out of the way first.

"There's nothing better than having experienced players talking you through the game."

Barnsley loanee Devaney produced a match-winning debut display against the Grecians on Saturday and Hutchings was delighted with the instant impact he and Stoke defender Davies made.

The manager said: "Martin is a very good player, puts people on the back foot, takes people on, knows the game, has good qualities and showed them on Saturday.

"Andrew is a talker, an organiser and is talking to Manny Smith constantly and that's what we need."