Jack Rose: Walsall win ‘not far away’

The goalkeeper made his first appearance under head coach Brian Dutton against Leyton Orient on Monday as the Saddlers earned their fourth consecutive draw.

Having now failed to win in 14 League Two games, Walsall are desperate for a victory to ease any relegation fears and Rose believes it is not far away.

“A point is always good,” Rose said. “You go into games wanting to win and we always look to win games.

“We set up as hard to beat and clean sheets are what we’re getting for that at the moment and we don’t think wins are far away.

“It’s another point in the right direction and a point further away from the bottom two and that’s the important thing. We’re on the right path. If you look at the top teams and the games they are drawing, there will be that little bit of luck that means they win the game.

“There will be a scramble in the box and their player has toed it in.

“Look at Cambridge when we played there, a 30-yard screamer and he’s hit it in the top corner. Something like that is what we’re missing, a little something to get us on our way.

“As soon as you get that first win it gives you confidence and it grows and grows. It’s not far away, we know that as a group, and we’re working hard together to get it.”

Meanwhile, Walsall have been dealt an injury blow to striker Caolan Lavery.

The forward hobbled off in the second half on Monday, seemingly holding his hamstring, and although it is not as bad as first feared he is expected to miss the immediate upcoming fixtures.

Speaking after the Orient draw, Dutton said: “He’s still with the medical team assessing that but it’s not as bad as first thought.

“Hopefully it will be a short period away from us.

“We don’t have the depth in our team, especially in the attacking aspect, to lose guys like Caolan Lavery who is EFL proven.

“We haven’t got that depth in behind him so to lose him is a massive blow to us, but hopefully it’s for a short amount of time.”

As Rose took the place of Liam Roberts against Orient, Dutton has also revealed the goalkeeper has suffered a minor knock.

He added: “Liam Roberts had a slight injury that didn’t allow him to start the game for us.

“Jack Rose has come in and taken his opportunity. I thought he was commanding and calm and composed. An excellent performance from him.

“It’s a minor injury but it needs managing, so hopefully he’s out for a small amount of time.

“It’s still early days so we’ll wait for it to settle down and assess it after.”

Stuart Sinclair and Alfie Bates were not involved in the squad on Monday with Dutton revealing the former has also picked up an injury, while Bates is fit but needs to impress on his next outing.

“Sinclair is injured, Bates is not injured,” Dutton said.

“There has to be a pathway for the guys and you have to take your opportunities.

“If you don’t take your opportunities the next guy gets their chances. That’s how I work.

“Alfie Bates is a first class youngster and with Sam Perry is the future of Walsall.

“They’re top lads who will only have bright futures.”

When asked about Sinclair’s injury, Dutton added: “It’s a slight medial strain and another one that’s happened in the last 48 hours.

“It needs to settle down before we assess it but hopefully short-term not long-term.”