Neil Etheridge believes the Walsall points will come
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has backed Walsall to return to winning ways at Bristol Rovers tonight – but has told his team-mates they must start believing in their own ability.
The Saddlers' disappointing start to the League One campaign continued on Saturday with a 2-0 loss at Northampton.
Tonight, they face another side who clinched promotion last season with Darrell Clarke's men joining the Cobblers in battling their way out of League Two.
Walsall's sluggish start has largely been put down to a lack of experience with talented youngsters such as Jason McCarthy, Kevin Toner, George Dobson, Andreas Makris, Maz Kouhyar and Amadou Bakayoko still finding their feet in the first-team.
And Etheridge feels those players now need to find the self-belief that matches their ability.
"I feel we need to believe in our ability more because this is a talented squad," the Philippines international said. "You look at the Northampton game and we've come away very frustrated.
"I don't think they were two goals better than us. We're a young team, a very young team and inexperienced.
"But we are doing the right things and the talent is there. We've not had the start to the season we wanted.
"But at the same time it's a long campaign, there have been some really encouraging signs and we will move forward.
"The games come thick and fast and the dressing room atmosphere is good. Now we're really looking forward to Bristol Rovers and really showing what we are capable of.
"We are going there to get all three points."
With James O'Connor out injured, Walsall started with a centre-back pairing of McCarthy and Toner at Sixfields – two players who are both just 20-years-old. But Etheridge insists the defence will get stronger as the season progresses.
"When I joined the club last year, the back four was quite steady," he said.
"This is a new challenge for me, we're inexperienced and we can hold our hands up and say that. But the quality is there and we have added some more experience with Scott Laird coming in. We've also got Jim O'Connor to come back so we're going to get there. We need to stay positive.
"On a personal level, I need to command more.
"There has been a few errors over the past few games but with experience they get ironed out. It's a long season and we're just getting going."
Walsall's slow start has made some supporters anxious but Etheridge has urged them to keep backing their side.
"I can feel their frustrations if I'm honest," the keeper added.
"But we are a new team and we need them behind us – 100 per cent.
"We need them to support us as much as they can and help our performances home and away.
"We have a fantastic following, they've always supported us and we need that to continue."
