Stars shell out to help Saddlers

Alex Nicholls today revealed Saddlers stars are paying their own hotel bills in a bid to solve Walsall's dismal away form.

The six-goal Walsall striker is shelling out for rooms ahead of away trips with the Saddlers winless on the road since August.

Nicholls and Mat Sadler met the team in Lancaster ahead of Saturday's game at Carlisle after the rest of the squad made the 185-mile trip on the day. It paid off with Nicholls netting a late penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw and it is a sacrifice he is prepared to make.

"When we went to Chesterfield and Brentford we did it too, we stopped down there out of our own pockets," he said.

"It's something 'Sads' has done at other clubs. Even when we're not playing that far away he comes down early and I've been doing it too and paying ourselves.

"I don't think it's right but who am I to say anything? I'm not criticising the club.

"It's all about preparation these days to give yourself the best chance on the pitch. Me and Sads did it out of our own pocket and there were a few more who wanted to but left it a little late."

Nicholls and Sadler have shelled out several times this season to prepare properly with boss Dean Smith's blessing.

The extra rest helped the Saddlers record their 13th draw of the season – and Nicholls insisted the plan is working.

He said: "The gaffer is fine with it. It's all about making sure you're alright to play a game. For me it's about getting the right amount of rest as it does take it out of you travelling on the day – especially to Carlisle.

"It helps me, it's something I like doing and we've done it three or four times. I feel better for staying over and not having to travel so far on the day of a game."

And the 24-year-old insisted their efforts highlights the desire the squad have to pull themselves out of danger – by any means necessary.

He said: "It shows how much we want to do well for the club. Not many people knew but there's a few of us who do it and others want to do it. We just want to give ourselves the best possible chance on a Saturday."