Express & Star

Walsall boss Darrell Clarke: Hopefully we've stopped the rot

Darrell Clarke hopes his Walsall side have ‘stopped the rot’ - as they receive positive news on the injury front with attacking midfielder Rory Holden.

Published
Last updated

After three consecutive losses the Saddlers picked up a point at home to Oldham Athletic, despite surrendering a deserved 1-0 lead.

When asked if he thought it was a fair result, Clarke said: “Yeah I think so.

“It was a game of two halves with Oldham coming into it more in the second half. You can see why they’ve done so well away from home this season.

“I thought we defended well up until a point and got a little bit sloppy with our ball position.

“If you’re having five or six transitions where you keep giving the ball away then you find yourselves under the cosh for spells like we did in the second half. Unfortunately we didn’t hold on.

“It was important, with the injuries we have in the camp, to stop the rot.

“Three defeats after four wins on the spin. We have to turn this into a positive on Tuesday night.

“There were positives out there. Hayden White played his first 90 minutes. Jack Nolan had his best 65 minutes for the club.

“Hopefully they get stronger and fitter with minutes along the way. Jules and Cockerill-Mollett have come back from injury as well.

“We had a patched up 18 today with some young lads within that. They’re learning and we’re learning.”

Meanwhile, Clarke confirmed that Holden no longer needs surgery on his knee injury and could be back next month.

The creative midfielder was expected to miss the rest of the season after turning awkwardly in a tackle in training.

Now, after further assessments, the club are hopeful he will return within weeks.

“The good news is Rory Holden doesn’t need an operation now,” Clarke added.

“He’s had another assessment and he should be off his crutches on Wednesday.

“We’re hoping that best-case scenario to have him back middle of February or end of February. That is good news.”

Jack Rose, James Clarke, George Nurse and Danny Guthrie missed the Oldham clash through injury.

Manager Clarke said: “Danny is going to be a while. Nursey has had that ongoing issue - he’s having an injection in his le