Will Grigg hails Walsall boss Smith

Will Grigg has hailed Walsall manager Dean Smith and insisted the Saddlers have stunned their drop rivals.

The striker admitted they have "come out of nowhere" to be favourites to survive and complete their Great Escape.

The fifth-bottom Saddlers go to Southampton on Saturday knowing Dagenham & Redbridge, who visit Peterborough, must better their result to beat the League One drop.

And, after Saturday's 2-0 win over Charlton kept them a point ahead of the fourth-bottom Daggers, Grigg paid tribute to Smith.

He said: "We've come out of nowhere – the gaffer has changed a few things and given us that belief.

"He came in when we were eight points off and he's turned it around so a lot of credit has to go to him but the lads have done it as well.

"Since the gaffer has come in he's made a big difference and given us that belief and what more can you ask for? You could tell by the celebrations that Saturday was a massive three points.

"We'll go to Southampton not necessarily needing to win because of other results, but we can't depend on that."

Grigg netted his fourth goal of the season with the opener on Saturday to add to strikes against Bristol Rovers, Dagenham and Hartlepool.

But the 19-year-old admitted his latest effort, which helped claim a vital three points, was the biggest of his career.

He said: "When I scored against Dagenham I was thinking that might be the most important but Saturday was obviously better because we're one game from the end and we needed it.

"If we had come off without anything knowing Dagenham had won it puts more pressure on us so it was a vital goal."

The win completed the double over the Addicks and, after a 1-0 win over the Saints in February, Grigg wants another scalp.

He said: "We didn't want it to go to the last day but we've just got three points against Charlton so we'll go to Southampton full of confidence.

"We know we might not need to win but we'll be going there to get three points."