Tough love works for Claude Gnakpa

Tough love works for Claude Gnakpa and the Walsall winger insists it will fire the Saddlers to glory.

The winger believes manager Dean Smith's will to win – and in style – drives the team and his charges will feed off the boss' desire ahead of tomorrow's visit of Brentford.

Smith did not read the riot act after the 2-1 Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Shrewsbury on Tuesday but insisted he was angry.

The Saddlers boss was unhappy at the nature of the victory, after the team laboured to a disjointed win against their League Two visitors.

That Walsall have made great strides in nine months is a mere footnote, with Smith forever demanding his players improve.

And, ahead of the Bees clash which could see the club break into League One's top six, Gnakpa insisted the manager's desire inspires the team.

He said: "He was very upset on Tuesday but we understand his reasons and frustrations. That's why I came to the club, because the manager wants to achieve great things.

"Every player comes to the club wanting to do the same. The manager wasn't happy because he expects more from the team.

"He's quite cool and the team reflects the way the manager is – although probably not on Tuesday! The determination is there, it's what the manager is – determined.

"He wants high quality football and we can give him that but we are a new team, there are a lot of new players who need time to gel.

"It's a new day and we can work on things which didn't go well in the game and hopefully we can make him happier.

"I've been in teams where we were playing well but were losing and on Tuesday we didn't play that well but we won. It shows the positives and winning mentality of the team.

"Sometimes you can't play well all the time. We went to Bournemouth at the weekend, it was a four-hour drive and it was a very hard game. You have to take that into consideration.

"Hopefully against Brentford now we can manage a win in front of our supporters again."

The Saddlers are looking to stretch their unbeaten run to four games against Uwe Rosler's side and Gnakpa believes their start to the League One campaign is ideal.

The 28-year-old said: "It's quite positive, it's a good start when you think about Walsall last season.

"I received some comments from the fans that they're very happy and enthusiastic about the season because they like the way we play and the way things are going.

"We're in the right frame of mind, we're unbeaten in three games and if we'd managed better at Sheffield United we could be unbeaten.

"It's positive and hopefully we can carry on with a win tomorrow and see what it's going to bring us."