Mat Sadler explains thinking behind Walsall's midfield selection in Cambridge defeat

Lakin was deployed in the No 6 role, as Jamie Jellis and Ryan Finnigan started just in front of him during the Saddlers' 2-0 defeat at Cambridge United. 

But Sadler stressed that Warrington's absence was tactical when asked about his selection afterwards.

'My preference was for Charlie' - Sadler on Walsall's midfield selection 

"Lewis was available, but my preference was for Charlie in this game," the Walsall boss said.

"The way their 10s were either side of the pivot, I wanted to make sure we had that little bit of extra legs to snuff that out. 

"I believe we did that in the main and tactically we got it spot on, but it was just those couple of duels which ended up costing us the game." 

Lakin had previously started in the deep-lying role in a 4-2 win at Newport County and a 2-0 home defeat to Colchester United in November. 

Sadler eager to rotate 

Sadler has publicly stated the need for him to rotate his team and wants to reduce the risk of overloading his players heading into the second half of the season.

"I thought we had some really good legs and energy. Jamie [Jellis] looked really right in there and played very well," he argued. 

"He linked up really well with Connor and Ryan [Finnigan] got into some really good spaces as well. Charlie played well at the base of midfield too. 

"Brandon [Comley] has played two 90 minutes on the trot and we can't expect him to play every minute of every game. It makes no sense."