Set-pieces giving Walsall boss Darrell Clarke a headache
Walsall manager Darrell Clarke says his team’s recent fragility from set-pieces is a ‘worry’ as he bids to get the Saddlers back on track.
The club have now lost their last three fixtures, away to Carlisle and at home to both Morecambe and Crewe.
Clarke’s side have conceded four goals from set-pieces in that time and the 42-year-old is looking to put that right on the training pitch.
“They’re a worry, it’s something that needs to be looked at,” he said.
“We’re disappointed this week that it’s cost us massively, so we’ll be looking at that.
“Which we do anyway to be honest, every game gets analysed. We analyse it until the cows come home and we’ll analyse it again.
“Certainly in that area we’ve conceded one or two too many from set-pieces.”
After a successful festive period that raised hopes of a late play-off push, Clarke has reiterated his desire for patience as he looks to build a consistent side.
“The fans in general have a massive understanding, they’re not daft Walsall fans, they know where we are as a club,” he added.
“They hopefully know what I’m trying to do and progress. Rome was not built in a day and we need to keep working away and keep the positivity.
“Within that the minority will be negative and they want to be the loudest heard, that’s football at every football club.
“There’s a real good understanding with myself, the chairman, the board and the players of where we’re heading – we’re all on the same page.
“Going back to our good runs – I said there would be bumps in the road, that’s where we are as a football club.
“We’re in a massive transitional period but also in a footballing world where everyone wants success.
“The fans weren’t happy being mid-table in League One so they’re not going to be happy being mid-table in League Two.
“I have to structure myself on what we want to achieve here and the chairman’s ambitions and how we’re going to go about it.
“With that comes a longer transition period where people become frustrated.
“I get it, that’s football and it’s at every other football club.
“But certainly with our plan in place there’s a lot of positives to go with that.”
