Dean Smith: Fan power can lead us to Wembley
Dean Smith hailed news Walsall's Johnstone's Paint Trophy showdown with Preston has sold out and then told supporters: "We need you all behind us."
Walsall will be backed by a capacity home crowd when they take their shot at a first-ever Wembley appearance next Tuesday, after fans snapped up the handful of remaining tickets.
The Saddlers take a 2-0 lead into the Northern Area Final second leg and Smith said:
"It just shows it has caught the imagination of everyone but it is going to be a really tough game and we need everyone behind us."
His team now have eight days to prepare for the game as they are without a fixture this Saturday and Smith added: "The break is how we would want it.
"Preston have a couple of games to play between now and then. There will be no excuse, we will be fresh for it and we know how tough it is going to be.
"All it is at the moment is an opportunity."
Walsall will hold a behind closed doors friendly with Burton Albion this afternoon and Manchester City on Thursday as Smith looks to give his fringe players some minutes on the pitch.
The manager expects James O'Connor to be ready to face Preston after the defender had to be withdrawn early in Saturday's 2-0 win at Colchester with a head injury. O'Connor was caught by a flying boot and had to have several stitches on a nasty looking cut.
And Smith joked: "I think it is the closest Jim will ever get to having a Mohican!
"It is a great scar – for it to not even be a free-kick is quite amazing. I thought the lad should have had a red card for a tackle on Tom later on in the first half."
Goals in each half from Anthony Forde and Michael Cain won it for Walsall.
