Express & Star

Darrell Clarke: I didn't get Walsall shape right

Walsall manager Darrell Clarke has admitted he got his starting formation wrong after his side fought back twice to draw 2-2 at Barrow.

Published
Last updated

The Saddlers matched the home side with a 5-3-2 formation but struggled to get a foothold on the game in the first half.

An injury to James Clarke in the first half meant Walsall changed to 4-4-2 - as they saw more success in the second period - and Clarke admits that he got it wrong.

“You have to see it - I’m as honest as they come and my first assessment is, did I get my shape and formation right? Probably not today at the start of the game, “ Clarke said.

“We’ll go away and assess that. Although, in the first few minutes we’re on the front foot and get a corner but then they score.

“I’m one of those managers that likes to change things and see how the game’s developed and if it has to be changed after 20, 25 minutes, my lads are adaptable to be able to do that.

“I’ve changed it two or three times in the game to be honest.

“Everyone will assess my performance, but I assess it first and foremost and I probably got my shape wrong to start off with.

“It was a committed performance by my lads. Plenty of energy, endeavour and I thought we finished the game fitter.

“The games are coming thick and fast and we keep the unbeaten run. These draws look good if we can string two or three wins together.”

Attacking midfielder Rory Holden was missing from the squad and Clarke revealed he was suffering from an injury.

“Rory’s injured unfortunately, so hopefully he’ll be back quickly,” Clarke added.

“This is going to happen. The Premier League players on £250,000 a week have hyper chambers and every bit of recovery going. Unfortunately players are going to get injured when they play this amount of games over a period of time.

“That’s what happens. I try and protect my club and protect my players and then I get criticised for overloading players or not picking the same team.

“But we have to be careful and make sure we try and get as many fit players onto the pitch as possible and not pick up that many injuries.

“It’s disappointing that we’ve picked up an injury in Clarkey today and Rory Holden.”