Express & Star

Jon Whitney urges Walsall fans to set sights high

Interim boss Jon Whitney believes Walsall fans shouldn't be content with their lofty league position and must continue to set their sights higher.

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The Saddlers head to Chesterfield today sat fourth in League One – five points behind second-placed Wigan with a game in hand.

It's a position all fans would have taken at the start of the season, but Whitney – who is in charge following the sacking of Sean O'Driscoll – doesn't feel that is enough.

"I'm not in the mindset of 'we'd have taken where we are now at the start of the season'," he said. "You can keep saying that. And what happens then, is that you become a bit complacent. I am not accepting that.

"We are in a great situation. It's a great situation to build from."We have got a 12-game mini season and that is what I am working towards.

"It is an opportunity for us to achieve something really special.

"We have got the skills set as a group and as a staff to cope with this expectation.

"It's only the expectation that we put on ourselves. We expect to perform.

"And we are going to go out and try and achieve something really special."

Whitney, who the Express & Star understands has been placed in charge until the end of the season, was previously assistant boss under O'Driscoll and was also club physio under Dean Smith.

But while his new job comes with added responsibility, the 45-year-old says he can handle the pressure.

"I understand I am at the helm now and that comes with more responsibility," Whitney added.

"But I can handle that responsibility because I will give my all.

"If I fall short, I fall short – that is life.

"Not everything can go exactly how you expect to go or want it to go.

"But what I can do is stick to my principles and that is what I want to get over to the players.

"Give your all and stick to the ethos and let's see where it takes us."

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