Walsall v Barrow: Not must-win territory yet says Brian Dutton

The Saddlers are in worrying form, having failed to win any of their six games since Dutton took charge and only winning once in their last 13 in League Two.

On Saturday they put in a much-improved performance against Cambridge but ultimately fell to a late defeat – leaving some fans wary of a potential fight to stay in the Football League.

Although Dutton has one eye on the situation at the foot of the table, he insists the club is looking up.

When asked if tonight’s game is a must-win fixture, Dutton said: “I don’t think you can categorise it as a must-win because we’re not in a relegation fight at the moment.

“If it continued in the next seven games in the same form then potentially we will be.

“I don’t see it as a must-win but I do see it as a fixture that we need to give everything to get the win.

“Every fixture is massive.

“It’s a huge one for us because we look at it as an opportunity to get that win and start moving things in the right direction.

“From my perspective, that is the importance of the fixture, winning the game and getting the team moving in the right direction.

“If we don’t win it we’ll have to reset and look to use Crawley as that platform.

“Lets not shy away from the pressure and responsibility of the Barrow fixture, we’ll meet it head on and look forward.”

Walsall currently sit 19th in the division and nine points ahead of Barrow and Southend – while Grimsby are bottom of the table and four points adrift.

The Saddlers have games in hand on several teams below them, however, including Southend.

When asked if he is looking over his shoulder at the league table, Dutton added: “We have to be mindful, of course we do.

“When I came to the football club as head coach we’d won one in seven and that form has continued.

“If it does continue then we will get dragged into it.

“I’m mindful of that but also looking forward. This team is on the right path and it’s only a couple of goals and wins away from starting to move forward quickly in the right direction.

“We have to check our shoulders and scan but our focus is tunnel vision moving up the table and finishing the season strong.”

Academy product Sam Perry will be hoping to keep his place in the starting XI after a good performance against Cambridge.

The 19-year-old has seen his opportunities increased under Dutton in recent weeks and despite the results insists the players are confident they can turn around the bad run of form.

“After the performance against Cambridge we were so unlucky,” Perry said. “We had the chances. They didn’t deserve anything from the game because they created nothing really.

“It’s now about putting that right and picking up the three points.

“We’re not looking behind us, we’re looking in front of us.

“We have the confidence to go and win every game, that’s the target. Hopefully that result will come.”

Meanwhile, Cameron Norman is facing a battle for fitness ahead of tonight’s match.

The defender, who is often one of the first names on the teamsheet after an impressive season, withdrew after half-an-hour on Saturday with a dead leg.

Dutton was confident after the defeat that Norman would be fit to face Barrow but now the manager says they will need to assess his injury.

“Cam Norman is going to be assessed to see whether or not he’ll be available for that fixture,” Dutton said.

“He came off with a dead leg so we just have to monitor him.

“I’m sure he’ll be in contention to play the Barrow fixture.”

If Walsall play five-at-the-back again, winger Tyreik Wright may have to fill in at right-wing-back.