Jon Whitney: Walsall players did enough to beat resolute Bristol Rovers

In front of 5,759 fans at the Banks’s Stadium, the Saddlers almost took the lead in an otherwise uneventful first half when Dan Agyei was denied by a spectacular save from Adam Smith.

After the interval though Walsall were much more threatening with Zeli Ismail, Joe Edwards, Kieron Morris and substitute Simeon Jackson all going close.

And Whitney felt, on another day, his players performance would have been enough to earn all three points.

“I thought for a 20-minute period in the second half, the way we sustained pressure was going to be enough to win it,” the manager said.

“It’s easy when you are chasing a game to just play direct but I thought our decision-making was much better in the second half after we had spoken about it at half-time.

“I thought we were going too direct too early and I thought the lads took that on board really well, and we looked to play through the thirds.

“We created lots of opportunities in wide areas, two-v-one overloads which we work on, and we got plenty of crosses into the box. I thought their keeper made two outstanding saves.

“But we defended really resolutely at times and I think we created enough to win the game.”

Despite all Walsall’s possession going forward, it was centre-back Jon Guthrie was handed the man of the match award following another impressive showing at the back.

And Whitney admitted he is delighted with how the former Crewe man is performing.

“I think Jon Guthrie has been outstanding all season,” he continued.

“You have to remember he has played every minute and done really well.

“I thought Kory (Roberts) next to him was excellent too. He made one slight mistake but we ask our young players to be brave on the ball and not just hoof it, so there are going to be mistakes.

“As they get older, those mistakes become less and less, and they become more consistent players.

“But as a team I thought we defended really well, I thought our shape was really good and I thought we broke on them well as well. I can’t fault the effort from any of the lads.”