Mat Sadler hails "outstanding" Walsall performance in 1-0 win over Salford

Harrison Burke opened the scoring in the 32nd-minute with his first goal for the club to seal the victory for Walsall. 

Debutant Daniel Kanu, who was introduced on the hour, was denied twice in quick succession by Matthew Young, before the Salford goalkeeper tipped Burke's header on to the bar late on.

Yet it always felt as if Walsall were in control and Sadler was pleased with the discipline and energy his side showed throughout the 90 minutes.

"That was a brilliant performance, an outstanding performance in fact. In the first 30 minutes, the only disappointment is that we didn't score a couple more goals in that spell," the Walsall boss said.

"Really pleased it comes from a set play. Harrison and Aden [Flint] are massive threats with Aaron [Pressley] in those areas. 

"We were front-foot, we really took the game to them in that opening period and deservedly went 1-0 up. 

"The only disappointment in the second half was that there wasn't more in the score-line. Really pleasing, some really positive signs from the team, especially off the back of three very tough games. 

"It's a tough week but it's been a real effort. The legs that we showed, the energy that we showed, the organisation and the discipline was really pleasing."

Another notable statistic was that the Saddlers registered their first clean sheet of the season, but also their first shutout on home soil in 2025. 

Evan Weir was recalled to the back-line and impressed alongside Burke and Aden Flint, who produced another commanding defensive display.

"Evan Weir was brilliant, as was Harrison Burke. Aden was great and we know what he gives us because he's a monster," he added. 

"Everyone put a shift in but today we knew the bench was going to be key. You saw how early it was when we made the changes and that was always the plan.

"The other plan was to bring Charlie [Lakin] but he was having such a good game and he looked like he was still full of energy."

Sadler used his substitutions wisely, with the introductions of Ryan Finnigan, Brandon Comley and Kanu in particular providing Walsall with a key source of energy.

"Daniel works his socks off but his first thought is to run in behind, which is a real key thing for us in terms of stretching defences and he's got that pace to get the other side of defenders as well," he continued.

"It's a dimension that we wanted to bring into the team and we're really pleased with the addition of Daniel.

"Pleased with his debut and the only disappointment is he didn't score with his few chances, but I absolutely love it when strikers get chances."