Walsall hero Aaron Pressley praises team spirit and ‘desire to win’ after comeback win over Bristol Rovers

The Saddlers came from a goal down to triumph thanks to Pressley’s second-half brace, retaining their place at the top of the League Two standings. 

The win also extended Walsall’s unbeaten run to seven league matches, and followed after a summer of significant change, which saw 15 new arrivals at Bescot. 

Asked how the team has gelled so quickly, match-winner Pressley said: “I think it comes from hard work, we are a very humble team. 

“We want to work hard, improve, and run that extra yard for each other. I think that is the basis of a very good team.

“We have to find different ways to win. There are going to be different types of games.

“Even against Accrington we adjusted well, and as a team we want to be adaptable and show what we did in the second-half on Saturday, that aggression and desire to win.”

Pressley’s second-half double - that came from his only two shots of the game - took his goal tally to four for the new campaign.

One of Walsall’s summer signings, Vincent Harper, provided the assist for the first with a precise cross, while Connor Barrett’s superb driving run and perfectly timed through pass created the second, sending the home supporters into raptures. 

The Walsall striker was quick to credit his teammates for their part in the comeback, adding: “Vincent’s cross was outstanding, and Connor’s timing of the pass puts it on a plate.

“I have been working hard but not scoring as many as I would like to. It is a nice day for me personally.

“I think we definitely enjoyed it, but it came from hard work, being more aggressive in the second half. 

“In the first-half, we didn’t come out the way we wanted to. Credit to them they set up well and frustrated us, but in the second-half, we were very aggressive.

“That is how we want to play, front foot, not giving them a second. I think the second half was much better.”