Jon Whitney: Walsall have a lot to play for
Walsall boss Jon Whitney has dismissed suggestions his team have little to play for in their remaining seven games of the season.
The Saddlers travel to Valley Parade tomorrow to take on a Bradford side riding high in the League One play-offs.
Walsall have seen their hopes of a top-six finish all-but ended over the past few weeks following a three match winless run.
But Whitney insists his team still has a lot to play for - including winning back some pride following a 4-0 loss at Valley Parade last season.
“That game was the low point of last season,” the boss said. “But it’s a totally different scenario now.
“For me, it’s all about finishing strong. I want to build momentum going into next season because I have got a strong nucleus of players that will be here next year.
“All the games we’ve got now are mouthwatering ties. We talk about these end of season games like they don’t matter but they matter to me. Nearly all the teams we’re playing have something to play for, pride has to come into it. And I’m always one game away from a lot of criticism. I have to try and win every game.”
Walsall have spent the week working to improve their set-piece defending with each of the last four goals they have conceded coming from corners or free-kicks.
But Whitney has also made sure he has focussed on the positives as well as the negatives over the past few days.
“It was only a few weeks ago we were being praised for scoring from set-pieces,” the boss continued.
“We have worked hard to get better.
“But in open play teams aren’t really upsetting us.
“That’s why Southend was disappointing. Three set-pieces cost us the game.
“We know we have to react when we drop below the stands we set.
“We have made sure the players are aware of why it happened and we have looked at how we move forward.
“That is what we have done this week while also not taking away we are a good team.
“We have been praised many times this year for our resilience – like against Bolton at home and Wimbledon in the first game.
“It’s very fickle football. It’s easy to look at negatives. Very quickly people jump off and quickly jump back on.
“But I want players who are with us through thick and thin.
“If you have got that then you have got a chance moving forward.”
