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Darrell Clarke: Win was for Walsall fans

Boss Darrell Clarke has praised Walsall fans for sticking by him and 'cutting him slack' during the club's poor form.

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Throughout the 1-0 home win against Scunthorpe, large sections of the home support were chanting the manager's name and backing the side to find that winning goal.

The cheers could be heard across the terraces as the side secured their first home win of the season and their second win in as many games.

And Clarke, who says he puts his 'heart and soul' into the club,has thanked Saddlers fans for their continued support.

“I thought we probably deserved it (a home win) a few matches ago if I’m honest," he said.

"But it’s nice to get it on and the support, big, big plaudits to the support today, they got behind the lads when it wasn’t still a great game.

“They can see the effort and endeavour, through the team they’re competing, working hard, we just need to get better in all areas.

“Fans, when they see players, they want to see that determination, desire and the lads are showing me that in abundance.

“To be honest I think they’ve (the fans) cut me a lot of slack, they’ve been great with me personally, I think they know my passion, my desire.

“It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, it’s the last thing I think about when I go to bed.

“That’s why my wife doesn’t like me very much, my kids don’t like me very much, but I put my heart and soul into the job.

“That’s what you have to do as a football manager, this is my club now, I want to do well for the supporters and we’ll use this as another building block."

At one point in the second half Clarke was having a joke with one fan who complained that the team wasn't shooting when in good positions in front of goal.

Clarke added: “The fans telling me shoot, I’m telling him, do you think I want him to bloody pass it there? A bit of banter with him, it’s all in good humour - really pleased I could get a win for the supporters today."