Chris Hutchings' blast for Walsall
Under-pressure Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has fired a broadside at his players and told them to stop living in the past.
Under-pressure Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has fired a broadside at his players and told them to stop living in the past.
The Saddlers are eight points from safety following Saturday's 3-0 reverse at Bournemouth and are rooted to the bottom of League One.
They are four points adrift of second bottom Yeovil with a third of the season gone and fans hurled insults at Hutchings and the team as they left Dean Court.
And Hutchings, who was let down by his charges on Saturday, insisted they cannot rely on reputations any more.
He said: "Names on paper mean nothing, when you cross the white line you have to stand up and be counted.
"We've got to roll our sleeves up, dig deep and work even harder. The players have to realise that and we've got to do it.
"I think they understand what they have to do but when things go against you it feels like everything does.
"You need characters in the team and when things aren't going so well that's when everyone is questioned.
"We've got to keep working hard at it."
Hutchings, who was without the injured Jonathan Macken, Martin Devaney and Clayton McDonald, handed defender Andy Butler a debut after signing the 27-year-old free agent on Friday.
And the manager believes the former Huddersfield man can add the steel the Saddlers desperately need after just one clean sheet all season.
He said: "Chris has got character, that's why we've brought him in. He's a left footer, gives us a bit of balance and likes to defend.
"He was at Blackpool last season and they got to the Premier League. He's got everything we're looking for and we need him to come to the table now.
"We started to drop off too deep and allowed them too much room in the second-half, so we've got to be more ruthless but his contribution was good.
"It's always tough going to a place like Bournemouth because they are on a bit of a roll."
Walsall collapsed after Josh McQuoid bagged the first of his hat-trick on Saturday and Hutchings realised the 30th minute goal changed the tone of the game.
Hutchings said: "We're disappointed because in the first half we had a game plan which was working very well.
"The midfield were getting on the ball and causing them problems but goals dictate games."
