Dean Smith issues Saddlers cup warning

Boss Dean Smith today urged Walsall not to blow their big chance and end their FA Cup hoodoo.

The Saddlers go to League Two strugglers Dagenham in the second round tomorrow aiming to avoid another upset.

They have failed to reach the third round in the last three seasons after being dumped out by Scunthorpe, Brentford and Torquay.

And ahead of a trip to the Daggers – who have lost eight league games on the bounce – Smith warned his men against failure.

"On paper people will say it's a decent game to progress in but, on paper, last season at Torquay (a 1-0 defeat) was the same," he said. "We went there, didn't put in a great performance and got beaten.

"But mentally the players are in a much better place than they were last season so hopefully we can go there tomorrow and remain in the draw at least.

"The FA Cup is totally different to the league, form goes out of the window, and we know it's going to be really difficult there. It's not an easy place for anyone to go to and John Still (manager) will have his men up for it.

"We had two difficult games against them last season and I expect no different this time."

Dagenham were relegated from League One on the final day of last season as the Saddlers survived by a point but Smith dismissed any thoughts the hosts are out for revenge.

"John is a good man. I've come across him a lot since my days at Leyton Orient and they won't see it as revenge," he said.

Meanwhile, George Bowerman is on the brink of a new deal after Smith confirmed he held talks with the 20-year-old yesterday.

The striker's contract expires this month and he has scored twice in five substitute outings this term. Smith said: "We'll see where we go and talk about offering him a new contract.

He deserves it, he's progressed and come off the bench to score a couple of goals."