Mat Sadler "proud" of Walsall performance in narrow cup exit at Stoke City
Mat Sadler was "proud" of the shift that his Walsall players put in as they suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak against Stoke City in the EFL Cup first round.
Walsall held the Potters to a goalless draw at the Bet365 Stadium but the Championship side progressed to the next round by winning 4-3 on penalties.
Jamie Donley crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar for Stoke, while Josh Gordon fired into the side netting during the first half.
Substitute Jonny Stuttle had two chances in stoppage time - sending a deflected effort wide of the near post, before stabbing wide from the resulting corner.
On the game, Sadler said: "Very pleased. The guys put together what we wanted to do in the game.
"I watched their game on Saturday and they were very good in possession. They've created themselves a style that maybe hasn't been here for a little while.
"So we knew we'd have to be very good out of possession which we were. We wanted to steal it and transition on them.
"The only disappointment is that we didn't take one of the opportunities that came our way, but I have to be very proud of the performance that everyone put in.
"A proper shift with loads of stories from our perspective in terms of we made 10 changes to the team and there were a couple of EFL debuts in the back-line.
Sadler made 10 changes from the Saddlers' 1-0 defeat against Gillingham on Saturday and handed debuts to Harrison Burke, Dan Cox and Vincent Harper.
Courtney Clarke also made his first start for the club while youngster Ronan Maher started for the first time this season.
Priestley Farquharson also made his first competitive start in a year and Sadler felt he showed the fans just how good he can be.
"Priestley hadn't started a game for some time. He did very well and I thought he was booked very harshly in the second half," he added.
"Defended his box well, moved the back-line really well and showed what I fantastic defender he is.
"Certainly someone who I believe incredibly in and somebody who I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this season goes."
Brandon Comley came in for particularly high praise from Sadler after a smart display in the holding midfield role.
The midfielder returned from suspension after he was shown a straight red card during Walsall's 2-1 win against Swindon Town at Bescot on the opening weekend.
"I thought he was outstanding tonight. He marshalled the middle of the pitch, he was very athletic in his defending," he concluded.
"He was fantastic."
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