Darrell Clarke: Lack of 'killer instinct' cost Walsall
Walsall manager Darrell Clarke was left disappointed by his side’s lack of killer instinct as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Cambridge United.
Two penalties was enough to hand all three points to the visitors, who organised and defended well to keep the Saddlers at bay.
Despite having the majority of the ball in the second half Clarke’s side failed to test goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov and the manager was unhappy with the forward play.
“I know we were poor,” he said.
“We had a lot of possession of the ball, options that we’ve picked a lot of the time weren’t creating the problems that we normally create.
“I need to go back and anaylse it straight after the game. We tried loads of different things and had plenty of the ball and not really many opportunities.
“You have to give Cambridge credit. We gave them the (first) goal, which is frustrating. We have to stop doing that at home.
“It gives them something to hold on and they get in their two banks of four, 10 men behind the ball and look to hit us on the counter attack.
“We struggled to break them down.
“I look at my performance and my team and we certainly didn’t do enough, which is disappointing.
“I said to my players after the game, now it’s about the reaction isn’t it. We’ve had a lot of draws this season and a couple wins - there should be more wins on the board.
“But it’s how you react from these setbacks. It was always going to happen and the proof will be in the pudding come Saturday.”
For all of their possession, Walsall also had several set pieces that failed to materialise and Clarke is adamant the team must make those opportunities count.
“We haven’t worked the keeper enough, sometimes the delivery is good and we’re not attacking the ball well,” Clarke added.
“We do a lot of work on set pieces which is the frustrating thing. We have to do better and look more dangerous because we pick up a lot of free-kicks with our attacking players and a lot of opportunities to score goals.
“You need goals like that from set pieces on days like this when the opposition are frustrating you - you have to find a goal from somewhere.
“We haven’t done that.”
Meanwhile, captain James Clarke was not involved after withdrawing early at the weekend with a knock.
He was seen at the stadium watching on the side and when asked how long he will be out for Clarke said: “We’re not sure yet.
“Not too long-term we’re hoping, maybe two or three weeks.”
