Mat Sadler highlights Walsall defensive shakeup provided by Kacper Lopata

Lopata was shown an early booking and spent the remainder of the game walking a tightrope, but impressed overall on his maiden start for the club. 

The 24-year-old, who is on loan from Barnsley, was given the nod over the more offensive Evan Weir on the night. 

'A big night for Kacper' - High praise for Lopata

On that decision, Sadler said: "They [Weir and Connor Barrett] just weren't in the squad. That's all. 

"It was a big night for Kacper. Getting booked early on wasn't ideal because we were on tenterhooks for the rest of the half. 

"In Kacper, you have someone who offers something different because that's not how we have usually set-up with the back-three. 

"We always offset the back-three and have that ball-playing option. We've gone a little bit different with our two wide players [wing-backs] providing that pace and power. 

"But the back-three that started on Wednesday, then Harrison [Burke] and some of the other guys who didn't travel. 

"They all want to defend and they showed that in abundance at Grimsby." 

Sadler impressed with wing-backs 

Barrett was also a notable omission from the squad, while Mason Hancock travelled, but was not involved. 

Courtney Clarke, who set-up both goals in Grimsby, and Jid Okeke provided an injection of energy, as they picked up the mantle at wing-back. 

"I was very impressed with both. On a difficult pitch, there were spells in the first half when they really threatened to take the game by the scruff of the neck," he added. 

"Courtney showed with his delivery from set pieces, but also from wide areas. We're a wing-back heavy team and we want to be that. 

"Connor [Barrett] has been amazing for us this season, Vincent [Harper] has as well, but last time it was over to those two."