Jon Whitney's Walsall going back to basics
Jon Whitney has told his Walsall players to get the basics right if they want to secure a Boxing Day victory at Port Vale.
The Saddlers travel to face a Valiants outfit who have undergone a change in philosophy since appointing Bruno Ribeiro as manager. The Portuguese boss, a friend of Jose Mourinho, is keen for his side to play a possession based game.
Whitney too wants his team to play attractive football. And the boss believes that means the festive fixture should be a cracker.
"Port Vale are a technical team and they look to play," Whitney said. "Like us they want to do things the right way and move the ball around the pitch. They are a good unit but have been a little inconsistent like ourselves.
"Bruno likes his team to play out from the back, through midfield and through the thirds.
"It should be an entertaining, technical game of football.
"But that means it will be the team that keeps their concentration and does the basics and the ugly stuff well that wins the game. Hopefully that will be us."
