Oliver Lancashire hails Chris Nicholl

Walsall defender Oliver Lancashire has hailed the impact of Chris Nicholl – and welcomed his famous fury.

The centre-half believes the former Walsall manager has played a key role in their mini revival which has sparked hopes of beating the drop.

The Saddlers go to Carlisle tomorrow still joint-bottom of League One but unbeaten in three.

Ex-Villa defender Nicholl was recruited by Dean Smith after he inherited the wreckage of Chris Hutchings' regime.

Smith wanted to call on Nicholl's experience after his 71 wins in 157 games as Walsall boss between 1994 and 1997, which followed a six-year stint at Southampton.

Nicholl's role is still, as yet, undefined, but his influence has been more tangible with the Saddlers improving at the back. They are yet to keep a clean sheet under Smith, but the costly errors which have dogged them all season are slowly being erased.

The 64-year-old is keen to keep a low profile but Lancashire has lifted the lid on Nicholl's impact.

He said: "Chris knows a hell of a lot. Back in the day he was a very good defender and we're trying to be as good as him.

"He's got a vast amount of experience as a player and as a manager. He was a centre-half as well so for me Andy Butler, Manny Smith and Clayton McDonald it's great to have him around.

"He's at training every day and takes the central defenders for 10 or 15 minutes afterwards to do extra heading and clearances and our performances are showing it's starting to work.

"I've learned a lot from him. You can only learn from someone like him who has seen the game for a number of years."

The 22-year-old has immediately struck a rapport with Nicholl with the pair sharing the same former, and present, clubs.

Lancashire was born while Nicholl was in charge at Southampton – the club where the 21-year-old started his career – while they have both also played for Grimsby.

It has perhaps spared Lancashire from Nicholl's fierce temper, which went down in folklore from his previous spell at the Banks's Stadium.

He joked: "I haven't seen it yet but I'm hoping to stay on his good side!

"Darren Byfield and Jimmy Walker have mentioned it and said he's got a bit of a temper but it's good to have. It keeps people on their toes and gets the best out of us.

"The back four are much more alert and focused thanks to Chris. When you're under pressure as a defender sometimes you just have to kick it into row Z.

"When we have got time we do try to play football but there is a time and a place to do it."

Nicholl was the latest addition to the new-look backroom team which has seen physio Jon Whitney promoted to be Smith's assistant – a move backed by Lancashire.

He said: "As soon as I came in I knew Jon was a top man and a good person to have at the training ground.

"You're at the training ground every day and it could get a little boring but Jon is a good character to have.

"The gaffer has also come in with his fresh ideas and it's energised us."

Those fresh ideas have seen the Saddlers embark on a three-game unbeaten run – their longest of an inconsistent season. Five points from nine represent a decent return.

And Lancashire expects Walsall, who cannot call on Carlisle loan striker Jason Price, to continue their streak at Brunton Park tomorrow.

He said: "Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet and get the point. We haven't lost for a while, it gives us confidence and we'll take that in to tomorrow's game."

Carlisle sit 11th, eight points from the play-offs but just five off the drop zone, in a congested League One table.

But manager Greg Abbott, who will name an unchanged line-up despite a 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield on Tuesday, strengthened the side by signing striker Paddy Madden from Bohemians on deadline day.

The forward is likely to start on the bench tomorrow and Abbott has urged the Cumbrians to be patient with him.

He said: "It will be a couple of weeks before we get him to his peak fitness."