Erhun Oztumer: We're an inch away from being great

The 2016/17 campaign has so far proved a frustrating one for the Saddlers who have played well in patches but have struggled to maintain those performance levels over 90 minutes.

That was particularly evident on Tuesday in the 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, with Jon Whitney's side dominating the first half but then coming under a lot of pressure after the interval.

Oztumer has been one of the Saddlers' shining lights so far, with the former Peterborough man excelling in the number 10 role.

And the trickster, who opened the scoring against Rovers, believes it's only a matter of time before the Saddlers return to winning ways – with their last league victory coming on the opening day against AFC Wimbledon.

"We keep saying in the dressing room, we feel we are an inch away at the moment," Oztumer said.

"We are clicking but we are only clicking in patches.

"We are so close to being a great side.

"As long as we keep playing the way we want to play, if we keep our discipline, results will soon come because there is so much talent here.

"We are going through a bit of a tough time at the moment because result aren't really going our way.

"But we are very confident results we soon turn around and we will quickly climb the table."

Oztumer was asked to occupy a deeper role against Bristol Rovers with the 25-year-old moving into central midfield as Whitney switched to a 4-1-4-1 formation.

And the former Peterborough man was pleased with his performance.

"I was playing a bit deeper – more in central midfield and I just wanted to keep the ball moving and try to make things happen," he said.

"For a neutral it was a really good game.

"Both teams gave their all. We had chances and they had chances so I think overall a draw was a fair result.

"I enjoyed my goal, it was a sweet strike. But it's important that I keep getting in those areas and keep getting shots away and keep creating chances so we can climb the table."

Oztumer admits all the Walsall squad are now looking forward to taking on a Bolton side who were in the Premier League not so long ago.

Phil Parkinson's side have made an unbeaten start to life in English football's third tier with four wins and three draws from their opening seven games.

But Oztumer is confident the Saddlers can inflict the Trotters first league defeat of the campaign.

"It is a big game and everyone looks forward to those types of games," he added.

"They were in the Championship last season and it wasn't that long ago they were in the Premier League.

"We are really looking forward to it and everyone single one of us is going to fight for that Walsall shirt. We are hoping there will be a lot of fans there and they will really get behind us because we will be giving it everything to win."