Sean O'Driscoll reunited with familiar faces

The Saddlers head coach has prior experience of working with several of his new playing squad.

Milan Lalkovic spent time on loan at Doncaster Rovers when O'Driscoll was in charge, while James Baxendale was present for the 58-year-old's final few weeks at the Keepmoat Stadium in 2011.

Then there is James O'Connor, a mainstay of the Rovers side which won promotion to the Championship under O'Driscoll in 2008.

Having struggled for consistent form after joining Walsall on a free transfer in the summer of 2014, O'Connor has developed into a defensive focal point as the Saddlers have challenged near the top of the table.

O'Driscoll is impressed with how the 31-year-old has improved his understanding of the game.

"I know Jim, he came as a right-back from Villa," he said.

"He has gained that experience, he understands the game a lot more now than when I had him as a youngster. Paul Downing is an intelligent footballer as well, as is Adam Chambers and Romaine. So we have got some good characters in the team."

O'Connor shone as the Saddlers claimed a 2-0 win over Port Vale in O'Driscoll's first game in charge.

Despite boasting the joint-best defensive record in League One, the clean sheet was their first in the league in two months.

"The defence will be pleased with that," added O'Driscoll. "When you are a goal up you put a little bit more in everything you do.

"They were all determined not to use the fact Dean and Richard have gone as an excuse. They were terrific."

Tomorrow's trip to the Den is a chance for the Saddlers, beaten only once away from the Banks's this term, to again impress on their travels.

"You get on a roll and you don't fear going away and you have confidence," continued the boss.

"Sometimes it's about having the right players and the right fit when you play away from home, there are a lot of factors."