Sean O'Driscoll: Walsall were 'excellent'
Head coach Sean O'Driscoll was full of praise for his "excellent" players after they secured an historic FA Cup win against Brentford today.
The Saddlers came back to haunt former boss Dean Smith and assistant Richard O'Kelly ,after an outstanding strike from Sam Mantom secured a 1-0 victory.
It means the Saddlers have reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 10 years.
They have also beaten three Championship sides this season, with Nottingham Forest and Brighton also dispatched in the Capital One Cup.
And O'Driscoll was quick to give all the credit to his players, who were roared on with thunderous support from 1,600 travelling fans.
He said: "It is credit to the players. We looked at the Rochdale game – not so much tactically but emotionally.
"We came up against a team that was determined to stop us playing. I think we learnt our lesson.
"We came here and were aware Brentford would try and do the same so we had to be a bit smarter. I thought we were excellent.
"We made good decisions and if this group get a goal up, they have tremendous spirit which showed in the second half."
Mantom returned to the side to notch his fourth goal of the season. O'Driscoll continued: "It was a wonderful strike.
"He was also unlucky not to get one in the second-half. He has had to bide his time a little bit, the team has done well and he has been chomping at the bit to get into the team."
The game also saw Neil Etheridge continue his outstanding form in goal, with the shot-stopper pulling off five terrific saves in the second-half.
O'Driscoll added: "I think he has been excellent in every game he has played. There are one or two people who get the headlines, but he is a front foot goalkeeper.
"He is athletic and he is not going to stand and wait for things to happen. He commits himself and he will make a mistake but I think he is a fine prospect.
"We weathered the storm and we always looked dangerous, when we could string two or three passes together."
