Dean Smith wants Walsall to defend

Dean Smith has called on Walsall's leaky backline to shut up shop as the caretaker manager bids to solve their defensive woes.

The Saddlers have shipped 10 goals in their last three games ahead of tonight's crunch clash at Bristol Rovers.

They have conceded 42 this season - the joint worst record in the division with Peterborough - to leave their goal difference standing at minus 20 after Saturday's 3-3 League One draw at Tranmere.

And Smith, a former Walsall defender, is determined to repair the cracks at the back while in charge.

He said: "One of the things I have picked up watching us is some opposition forwards get to see the whites of my goalkeeper's eyes too quickly.

"That's one of the things we'll be working on during the week.

"But our goalkeeper David Bevan couldn't do anything about Saturday's goals.

"The first one was deflected, the free kick goes in the top corner and the third one the lad's one-on-one with him."

Smith remains optimistic, though, that bottom-of-the-table Walsall can turn their season around following their dramatic comeback at Prenton Park.

He said: "My bottle has always been half full and I want the players to be the same. I want them to be bubbly and to enjoy their football.

"For me it's about performances, if you get performances you usually get results. I've said that to all of them.

"I want them to go home, stick their head on the pillow and feel like they have done a good, honest day's shift.

"The effort was there for all to see on Saturday but some aspects of our game weren't as good as they should be, but the players slept better knowing they got a point at the end of the day."

Striker Jonathan Macken has given Smith his backing, echoing midfielder Matt Richards.

Macken said: "He's come in and told us how he wants us to play and what he believes in and we've shown it.

"We did well first-half on Saturday and were unfortunate with the goals, but the fight and everything he wants was there and we'll react to him."