Saddlers stars are finding it's good to talk

Walsall's revolving door policy often comes under fire but Oliver Lancashire believes Dean Smith's open door approach deserves credit.

The defender believes the manager's approach is vital to their survival bid ahead of tomorrow's trip to Leyton Orient. Seven points from the last three games – including a trio of clean sheets – have pulled the Saddlers out of the drop zone and reignited fading confidence.

They go to Orient needing another win but also wanting victory for their manager.

Smith goes back to his former club for the first time – where he was assistant manager between 2005 and 2009 – with the unwavering support of his team despite a testing season.

The approachable Smith has earned the respect of his men with his man-management style and accessible nature.

The Saddlers have been criticised in the past for their revolving door over transfers which sees a high turnover of players – something Smith has been eager to change.

But Lancashire believes the boss's personal touch has kept the squad united during a bleak mid-winter.

He said: "You get some managers where the door is shut and you are scared to go and talk to them but with the gaffer here – and Richard (O'Kelly) as well – you can go and talk to them, not just about football, but life in general.

"They are easy to talk to but there's obviously a line which you don't cross as well so it's good.

"He called a meeting a few weeks ago which was needed and since then we have all come together as a team and said we really need to turn it on. It's into the last third of the season and we really need to start stacking up points, for ourselves and the manager."

Smith has previously revealed he has impressed his favourite music on his squad to tighten the bond they share and Rod Stewart is regularly found blasting out from the Saddlers' dressing room.

But Lancashire admitted they have wrestled the music back to a more youthful vibe.

He said: "Whits (Jon Whitney) has been putting on some classics from the 80s – I'm not really sure about that – but there have been a few tunes from the 90s. I don't mind the Stone Roses though.

"We've had a playlist recently and for some reason Eminem has been coming on before games. I don't know if it's a superstition or not but we're unbeaten so we'll keep playing him.

"I think it's Buts'(Andy Butler) Ipod – he's got a lot of tunes on there from Eminem to Don't Stop Believing from Glee.

"It's a good group and hopefully we can push on in the league."

The recent run has kept the fifth-bottom Saddlers above the pack – after their rivals dropped points in mid-week – and chasing down 16th-placed Orient, who are seven points ahead.

A Walsall win would drag the O's back into the scrap and with the Saddlers needing victories to push away from the League One drop zone, Lancashire is relishing the challenge.

He said: "These are the type of games you want to be involved in as a player. You don't want to be down there and it would be nice if there wasn't any pressure, but it's a game you look forward to.

"There's nothing better than finishing a game and getting three points, then over the next few days everyone is happy and smiling.

"If you lose the game it's hard to come in on Monday morning and train.

"But we've shown in the last few games we've got the battling qualities. You know in this league if you get three or four wins you can shoot up the table."

Lancashire will keep his place ahead of Manny Smith despite the latter's impressive display in the reserves' 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday.

Adam Chambers, who scored the opening day winner in the Saddlers' 1-0 victory over Orient in August, is rated 50-50 for a return to his old club with a cut on his Achilles.

Striker Ryan Jarvis, who left Orient last summer, will also be absent after the Saddlers allowed him to join Torquay on loan until the end of the season yesterday.

Meanwhile, Orient haven't won at home this year and midfielder Matt Spring warned Walsall the O's are gunning for them.

"The away form is a hell of a lot better than the home form at the moment," he said. "We need to try to do something about that.

"We're back at home on Saturday and it's an important game. We need to roll our sleeves up and make sure we get something at home.

"I don't know why there is that difference at the moment. I think if any manager knew that there would be a lot of money to be made."