Sean O'Driscoll focused on Walsall's game plan

The Iron arrive at the Banks's having lost just once in their last six games following a dramatic up-turn in fortunes since Nick Daws replaced Mark Robins as manager.

Robins was sacked in January with Scunthorpe sitting just six points above the League One relegation zone.

Daws, who had been first-team coach, stepped into the void and won five of his first six games in charge.

That prompted chairman Peter Swann to give him a contract until the end of the season with fans suddenly believing a play-off spot was possible again.

But, despite their recent success, O'Driscoll believes Walsall need to concentrate on themselves rather than worry too much about the opposition.

The head coach said: "You don't want to worry too much about the opposition. You have got to understand what is coming at you and what their strengths are.

"But for us, the sooner we can get fluid – the better we are as a team. Sometimes, you have to find different ways to do that.

"Sometimes it means playing from the back, other times it means getting the ball forward quickly.

"It's about trying to understand in each specific game what you have to do. But our levels of performance have been first class this season.

"Now we are concentrating on making sure we put in another impressive performance tonight."

O'Driscoll has been particularly impressed with Scunthorpe's form on the road, with the Iron having won three and drawn once in their last six away fixtures.

He said: "They will be confident because they have got some really good results on the road. A new manager has come in and steadied the ship.

"Teams usually have this halo effect when a new manager comes in. But I think Scunthorpe have always been a strong team in this division, throughout their history.

"All teams in this division are capable of putting a run together and they are in good form. And I think teams sometimes find it easier to play away from home, without the expectation of supporters.

"But we are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and, in the short time we have had, we have prepared the squad as best we can."

Walsall enter the game having kept their first clean sheet in the league this calendar year in the goalless draw with promotion rivals Burton.

And O'Driscoll was delighted with the way his players managed that game.

He said: "Teams don't give Burton enough respect and they often fall into the trap of passing the ball.

"The crowd accept it, which is a massive thing when you play at home, especially when you are conceding possession.

"But the fans don't get frustrated because they have won more games than anyone else in the division. We didn't want to play for the sake of it.

"We only wanted to risk the ball in areas that can cause damage."