Jon Whitney disappointed with Walsall decision making
Boss Jon Whitney bemoaned his side’s decision making and discipline after Walsall slipped to a 2-1 loss at Northampton.
The Saddlers found themselves in front after just 70 seconds at Sixfields Stadium when Amadou Bakayoko pounced on a goalkeeper error to set up Erhun Oztumer for a tap in.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side levelled just three minutes later when Chris Long nodded in from close range. The striker then netted a 41st minute winner with a crisp strike from 25-yards.
But it was how Walsall responded to taking such an early lead that Whitney felt cost them a fourth successive victory in League One.
“I thought we started really well,” the boss said.
“We knew that they’d be. They needed a result. We knew they wanted to be on the front foot. We wanted to play over the press which I think we did really well and we got the goal.
“But I don’t know why after that their mind-set was that we could go and play.
“Northampton were not going to sit back after going a goal down. They were going to try and be even more on the front foot.
“We had to play beyond their energy and not give them the chance to get back into the game.
“I’ve said to the lads that is what you have got to get better at. As a group, you have got be resolute and not conceded in that 10 minute period.
“In a way, that opening goal back fired. Because they got the goal and that gave them momentum to kick on. It’s that period after that goal that we have to manage better.
“As a group they have to look at that. And if it happens again they have to manage it better.”
The frantic start to the match was matched by an equally frantic end with Ama Bakayoko receiving a straight red card for reckless challenge on Matt Crooks – with the midfielder also dismissed for his reaction.
“I have got no arguments with Ama’s sending off,” Whitney added.
“I thought our discipline today was really poor. We gave away too many free-kicks. There were too many silly, stupid fouls.
“It cost us momentum and played into their hands.
“He hasn’t really caught him but if you are going to go in like that you have got to win the ball.
“It’s a little bit of naivety from Ama and we are punished now because we lose him for three games.”
