"Running out of games" - Darren Byfield sends Walsall warning ahead of Swindon trip

Walsall remain unbeaten since he took over as interim coach following the departure of Mat Sadler last month - in a run spanning five games (winning twice, drawing three).

However, back-to-back draws against Colchester United and Gillingham respectively has left the Saddlers three points adrift of the play-off spots, with others also boasting games in hand.

‘We’ve got win’ - Byfield on Swindon clash

And Byfield has called on his players to flip the narrative to a positive Easter weekend by emerging with maximum points against Swindon Town at the County Ground on Easter Monday,

“I felt we were the team that were in control to win the game, I just thought we should’ve been a little bit more positive in possession,” Byfield said.

“But I can’t knock them. It’s been a short time for me to try to get these ideas across and the problem we’re having is that we know we’re running out of games.

“So we’ve got win and that’s what we’re going to have to keep trying to do.

“We need three points on Monday, we needed them today but we didn’t get it. We need to go Monday and get those three points.

“Because as I said, we’re running out of games and we have to get wins.”

‘We’re trying to make a difference’

Swindon sit nine points clear of Walsall - who can only close the gap from sixth-place to six points at most.

Chesterfield currently occupy the final play-off spot and have also played a game fewer than Walsall in 11th.

“We’re trying to win games. At the start of the season I wouldn’t go to a 4-4-2, I would just keep it at 4-3-3,” he continued.

“But we’re trying to be proactive, we’re trying to make a difference in terms of asking questions of the opposition.

“So I just felt, let’s go with Albert on the right, Courtney on the left, and Daniel and Aaron Pressley up front. It didn’t work on this occasion but we keep going.”

Alex Pattison was forced off during the first half against Gillingham with what appeared to be a calf issue.

Pattison condition unclear

He remains an injury doubt ahead of the trip to the County Ground, although Byfield was unable to provide much clarity of his injury.

“I’m not sure - he has to be assessed,” he added.

“Patto is that importance to us that when you see him go down, you’re thinking, please get up.

“When he does come off, I know we’ve got some really top players and I’m not disrespecting any of those.

“But it’s just that he is so important because of his power and pace and ability to unsettle people.

“He’s a real top footballer and hopefully he’s not out for long.”