Mat Sadler hails Walsall defence
Mat Sadler has praised the resilience of his defence to keep a clean sheet in Walsall's goalless draw against MK Dons at Bescot.
Walsall have switched to a back-four in the previous two matches, and have collected four points, and conceded just once. The Saddlers have not conceded in open play over the process.
"In open play we haven't conceded in the last two so that's positive from that point of view," Sadler said.
"You know what it's like though. A great experience for them. There were loads of good challenges for them. It's about resting, recovering and repeating.
"I recruited with the view of having a couple of formations in mind. We can use both of them. The way I made sure that we coached it was that we were familiar with both.
"This is the second one we've gone into now. We're looking positive with that, and I've got some really good options."
Owen Evans produced a number of important stops on the night, while Harry Williams and Donervon Daniels appear to be striking up a promising partnership at the back.
Sadler insists that his players are constantly learning on the job, and believes that the draw against the Dons served as another good lesson for his players.
"We are fortunate to have a fantastic goalkeeper in Owen Evans. I've also got to praise Donervon - I thought he was immense again," he observed.
"Harry - in his second game against a different set of strikers showed a bit of versatility in his game, and that education and understanding for him was important.
"We have got players that are learning on the job. Freddie learning to play against a different type of centre half today. It was a different type of game for Oisin and Stirk to get in to.
"We've got players that have got bags of energy, desire and hunger. What we're trying to get into them is that bit more experience as it goes on, and that was another good flag in the sand for playing a different type of team in a different formation today."
Danny Johnson has remained on the bench for the past two matches, and has started just once in six matches for the Saddlers.
Sadler decided to introduce Jamille Matt for the closing stages, but insists that Johnson is still firmly in his plans.
"I've got some good options there. For me, it was a really hard-fought game, and I felt like I didn't want to lose that physical presence up there within the game," he revealed.
"That was my reasoning behind it. You saw when Jamille came on. He retained it a couple of times and tried to get up the pitch.
"I am in a great position to have some great different horses for different courses. Danny's chance will come and when it does, it'll be up to him to take that chance."
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