Scott Laird: Walsall will show their character against Southend
Scott Laird believes Walsall's fans will find out the true character of their side when they host Southend on Saturday.
The Saddlers enter the League One clash on the back of a 4-0 humbling handed to them by Rochdale on Tuesday.
That match saw Jon Whitney's side completely outclassed at Spotland – with the manager going on to describe the performance as "embarrassing."
And now Laird says there is no hiding place for the squad as they prepare to entertain Phil Brown's Shrimpers.
"We are going to learn about of the characters in the dressing room now," Laird said.
"Who is going to stand up and be counted because there is no hiding from that performance at Rochdale.
"Who is going to come to the front and keep their head up because that is what we need.
"But I know, 100 per cent, all the lads will react in the right way.
"They will come up and pump their chests out and give everything they can to get a positive result on Saturday.
"They have to because the Rochdale performance hurts. I can assure the fans, the players are hurting just as much as they are."
Walsall were unfortunate to take just one point from their previous two outings against MK Dons and Gillingham.
But Laird admitted that couldn't said about Tuesday's display.
"Man-for-man they were better than us all over the pitch and that shouldn't happen," he continued.
"We bemoaned our luck and misfortune in the last two games – against Milton Keynes and Gillingham.
"We used the excuse we were unlucky. But against Rochdale we didn't do anything."
Laird believes it's now up the senior players in the squad to help Walsall's young players move on from the disappointment.
"Myself, skip (Adam Chambers), Joe Edwards, James O'Connor – we have to help and guide these young players and drag them through," he added.
"That is what happens in football. You look to your older players, the players who have got a little bit more experience.
"We will be getting into each other and building each other up because on Saturday we are going to need a massive reaction.
"From the fans too, we need everybody to come together."
