Saddlers go with the Flo as loan stars shine

Walsall have finally started to Flo and Mat Sadler believes there's no stopping their fab four.

The Saddlers' much-maligned creative juices have begun to simmer after the addition of their loan rangers.

Florent Cuvelier from Stoke and Albion's Sam Mantom have given a youthful but classy look to the midfield ahead of tomorrow's trip to Yeovil.

Cuvelier, who was nominated for League One's February Player of the Month, and Mantom have added style and steel to the Saddlers' engine room.

Add that to the return to fitness of Kevan Hurst and the form of Jamie Paterson – who is fit for tomorrow's game after an ankle injury – and Walsall have found the right blend.

A six-match unbeaten run has helped them pull three points clear of the drop zone and Sadler believes the new midfield is key.

"Confidence helps but good players win you games," said the left back. "Flo has been a real asset, he's a fantastic footballer and one with a good career ahead of him.

Sam has come in done well and is technically gifted and Jon Macken's introduction back into the team has help us keep the ball and created chances.

"It's good to have a fit Kevan Hurst in the team. We missed Jamie Paterson on Saturday and missed his ball carrying ability and facing up defenders.

"We've some real creative footballers and if you keep playing like we have done we'll be OK. There are a few teams who have come into form but good players, attitude and application are the main things for me.

"But on Saturday's showing (a 0-0 draw with Hartlepool) we can be pleased we're creating chances, we're having a go and we're solid and energetic up until the final whistle. That can only bode well. I wish there was a game sooner after that – we're desperate to keep picking up points and winning more games."

Back-to-back away outings – starting at Huish Park before Tuesday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday – represent another chance for the Saddlers to pull clear of the drop zone.

Sadler knows the side have recorded consecutive wins just once this term – against Wycombe and Scunthorpe last month – but insisted Walsall's quality will out.

"We've only done it once this season so that tells its own story and I think you have to look at it more in the performances," said the 27-year-old. "We came away with a point and no goals conceded on Saturday

"You look at the table and it suggests Hartlepool are a decent team in the league. We would have liked to have won but there aren't too many problems.

"We always had confidence in each other. This is a tight knit bunch and we all really get on well and we've got the manager and our families too.

"Confidence is high and it's six games unbeaten. Long may that continue. We go to a big game at Yeovil. That's as far as we can look and we're going there to take three points."

But the Saddlers, without Richard Taundry (hamstring) face an in-form Yeovil side inspired by the return of former boss Gary Johnson.

Johnson, who managed Yeovil between 2001 and 2005, has won seven of his 12 games since returning to the Glovers in January to aid ex-manager Terry Skiverton, who stayed as backroom staff.

He has steered the side to 13th and he believes his men have proved they can compete at the top end of League One after previous scraps for survival.

"We believe we can win enough football matches to be up the top,"said Johnson, who took the Glovers into the Football League in 2003.

"We're second in the form table so we aren't a mid-table side.

"It's a new regime. We're all enjoying it and working very hard in our little bunker under the stands, myself, Nathan (Jones), Darren (Way) and Terry (Skiverton).

"Everybody deserves credit and I want to win games for those three as much as I do for myself. I think that's the sort of spirit we've got here."