Brian Dutton calls for Walsall fans’ patience

After the home defeat to Barrow on Friday many fans turned to social media to voice their anger at the team's form – having failed to win any of the seven games since Dutton took over and winning just one of the last 14 games.

After the loss Dutton was defiant, insisting he was the right man for the job, and now the 35-year-old has called for the fans to give him time to turn it around.

When asked what his message to supporters was, he said: "I'm gutted for the fans.

"I want to represent this football club and the fans with distinction and I'm not doing that at the minute.

"I'm not getting the results that I want to represent this football club.

"The reality check is we were one win in seven prior to me coming in and that form has continued, it hasn't changed.

"But I've got to change things at the football club and it takes time to evolve. I ask for the time because I feel like there are a lot of positives within the football club and I'm the right man to nurture those positives and move the club forward.

"It might not seem like that at the moment. There are a lot of disgruntled fans but I won't be wilting or going into my shell.

"I'll be meeting the challenge head on and looking to push forward."

When asked about the hostile reception the fans would have given the players had they been in attendance, Dutton added: "The fans would be right to be hostile because that performance didn't represent the football club.

"It was a submissive performance and the fans would be well within their rights to be hostile and disenchanted.

"We can't hide away from that, we want to represent the football club with distinction and make the fans proud.

"It's not an easy task at the minute and it's going to take time. I won't wilt or hide from it.

"I won't shirk responsibility, I'm there to be shot at and there to be criticised. I accept that."