Walsall debrief: Immediate response, Aaron Pressley strikes again and in-game changes

Walsall returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Colchester United.

Declan Skura’s third-minute opener was cancelled out by Jack Payne’s spot-kick 10 minutes before half-time.

But Walsall survived second half pressure from the hosts, as goals from Aaron Pressley and Courtney Clarke sealed the win late on.

Here are the key talking points from the win...

Immediate response

This game offered the first evidence of how this Walsall team can respond to a defeat – and they did so in winning fashion.

That's not to say it was pretty. There were large periods where Walsall had to weather a storm and the pendulum could've quite easily swung in favour of Colchester.

But they finished with a flourish to return to winning ways and break a cycle of five successive away draws in the process.

Pressley on double figures

Pressley continues to go from strength to strength under Lee Grant and he produced another important goal to restore the Saddlers' lead 11 minutes from time.

The Scotsman has now scored in three successive games for the first time in Walsall colours, as he moved on to the double figures for the campaign after just 15 appearances in all competitions.

In-game changes

Colchester were piling on the pressure during the second half, but the tide turned for Walsall once Grant reached for his bench.

Clarke had a point to prove after dropping to the bench at the expense of Lewis Simper. Andy Dallas also looked a threat when he replaced Tai Sodje, as he was sent clean through on goal deep into stoppage time.

Thimothee Lo-Tutala emerged to foil him, but Clarke was following up to scoop his finish in off the crossbar.

Surviving the storm

As previously mentioned, Walsall did not have it all their own way, but the positive is that they found a way.

Colchester has notoriously been a difficult place for Walsall to come. They had not emerged with victory in Essex in over 11 years – while Colchester were yet to lose on home soil this term – despite failing to win any of their nine games (both home and away) prior.

That unbeaten home record was of course ended by Walsall, who scrapped and fought through adversity to provide themselves with a platform to win late on.

Right-back conundrum

Elicha Ahui was recalled at right-back after serving his one-game suspension, as Skura moved over to centre-back.

Walsall looked steadier in the centre of defence as a result, but Ahui had a challenging afternoon against the U's tricky winger Moses Sesay.

The Southampton loanee tempted him into a clumsy challenge inside the box and Payne converted the resulting spot-kick.

Right-back is an area that Grant could need to address in January, even if Roman Dixon is now available after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.