Saddlers boss Dean Smith reveals heart-to-heart revived Alex Nicholls

Walsall boss Dean Smith today revealed a heart-to-heart with Alex Nicholls has triggered the striker's revival.

The manager reckons the Saddlers star can be unplayable and has challenged him to keep delivering the goods.

Nicholls is the club's joint four-goal top scorer with Jon Macken, after summit talks with Smith about his form and future last month.

Ahead of tomorrow's League One trip to Stevenage, Smith insisted the striker has been reborn.

He said: "A month ago, he wasn't sure where he was going but we sat down and had a chat and now he looks our likeliest goalscorer.

"It gave him a little boost and he knows he's got to keep working hard to get what he wants. He went from not being sure to being the most likely to score for us.

"He's looking brighter, making better runs and is troubling centre-halves. The more chances he gets the more he'll score."

Smith insisted the 23-year-old – who netted in Wednesday's 3-2 FA Cup win over Exeter – must maintain his current form if he wants to be taken seriously as a striker.

The Saddlers boss said: "He's come back, got a few goals and looks lively. He needs to continue doing that because centre forwards are judged on goals.

"His performances need to be consistent and consistency for a centre-forward is having an end product, whether that be shots or goals. And he's started to do that.

"He's been a threat in most of the games. He's got pace which causes problems for defenders and there are not many who can live with him."