Jon Whitney: I was disappointed with Walsall performance
Boss Jon Whitney admitted he was disappointed with his team's performance after Walsall slipped to a 2-1 loss at Fleetwood.
Goals either side of half-time from Ashley Hunter and Bobby Grant saw the Cod Army race into a 2-0 lead at Highbury Stadium.
George Dobson netted his first career goal deep into the second half to give Walsall hope of a late fight-back.
But they were unable to find an equaliser with Whitney disappointed with his team's overall display but impressed with West Ham loanee Dobson.
"I was disappointed with the performance," the boss said.
"I thought we started really well and I would like to credit George Dobson.
"I would like to highlight his performance. I thought he was outstanding. He got his goal, his first senior goal and I think he will remember the game. He was a big plus.
"He was brave on the ball. If we are going to be a footballing team, you have to be brave and get on the ball.
"But at times I thought we were a little bit loose. I don't think we had anything to stick up top. We just kept giving it back.
"At times there was some really good play. Some of the midfield play and playing through the thirds. But then it broke down too easily for me.
"That is something I have to look at. I have to work out how I can maintain a little bit of pressure."
Both Fleetwood's goals came after the Saddlers were caught in possession with both Matt Preston and Kevin Toner making individual errors.
"They are set up in the midfield to press and we can't just give them a loose pass," Whitney continued.
"That comes down to decision making. They are excellent all week. But we need to start bringing it on to match days. I can't fault the lads effort but its decision making that needs to be better.
"We have to look after the ball better – especially away from home against a team like Fleetwood who have got a lot of offensive players."
Whitney was disappointed his side failed to truly test Fleetwood keeper Alex Cairns after they got a goal back through Dobson in the 77th minute.
"We lacked that punch up top," the boss added.
"We put three up top but they have done really well to kill the game. They defended resolutely. But I think we allowed them to clear it too easily.
"We need look at it individually and I need to work out a way to be nice and solid at the back but have more of an attacking threat because our biggest threat was from midfield and you're not going to score too many goals like that."
