Walsall striker Alex Nicholls criticises Saddlers' performances as 'naive'

Alex Nicholls today labelled Walsall "naive" and admitted there is nowhere for the Saddlers left to hide.

The striker reckons the Saddlers must shape up to improve their wretched record of just two wins in the last 21 games.

They host second-placed Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day bidding to escape the relegation zone for the first time in over a month.

And Nicholls admitted the team is naive after just three victories in League One this term.

He said: "Maybe it's naivety in the team but we're coming in from games and talking about how we haven't played that badly. It's just wins and we're struggling to get them.

"The mood isn't brilliant but it's down to us all to rally round. Look at how we did against Charlton, we stayed solid but then we came out against the team bottom of the Football League (Dagenham in the FA Cup) and put in a performance like we did (losing on penalties).

"There's nowhere to hide. It's something we need to put right. There have been so many games this season we could have gone on to win comfortably.

"We haven't played badly to draw and lose games. It's been fine lines all season and we can't seem to cross them at the moment."