Walsall 1-0 Salford - analysis: Perfect end to a challenging week for Saddlers

The Saddlers may struggle to breakdown teams that sit in a low block at times, but they illustrated their quality as a high-pressing and organised team out of possession. 

They boasted just 30 per cent possession but used the ball effectively from set pieces and open play to deservedly secure victory. 

Not only that, but Walsall defended superbly to keep their first clean sheet of the season, and first home shutout of 2025.

Vincent Harper thrives on league debut

Internal competition is key and it speaks measures of the fitness levels of the squad that Vincent Harper was able to step in and perform as excellently as he did on his league debut. 

The Kenyan had one or two minor lapses in concentration but otherwise thrived after replacing the injured Mason Hancock in the team. 

He skimmed a beautiful pass over the top of the Salford defence to create a chance for Albert Adomah inside the four minutes and developed a strong understanding with the returning Evan Weir on the left.

Sadler confirmed afterwards that Hancock had dislocated his knee in the 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town on Tuesday and will be side lined for "four to six months". 

The return of Weir was long overdue after missing out on selection for the past three games and the Irishman demonstrated why he must remain at left centre-back for the trip to MK Dons on Saturday. 

Weir attempted twice as many crosses as anyone else (eight), completing three, including one big chance for debutant Daniel Kanu. 

Set piece threat 

He also played a key role in Harrison Burke's 32nd-minute opener: ushering Jorge Grant out of the way, as Charlie Lakin blocked Josh Austerfield on the edge of the box. 

That allowed Burke a free run from deep and the Walsall defender opened his goal scoring account for the club with a bullet header into the left corner.

Whether it was poor tracking from Salford, genius movement from Walsall, or both: set pieces proved a fruitful avenue to goal for Walsall. 

In total, Walsall created six chances from dead ball situations. Salford goalkeeper Matt Young produced a string of saves and shovelled away Aden Flint's header before Burke's header was tipped on to the crossbar. 

Flint and Burke will be a menace for any opposition defence from set piece situations. The pair start their runs from deep, and aside from the equally dangerous aerial threat of Aaron Pressley, the remainder of the team adopted the role of blockers. 

Freeing up the big men was a successful ploy and Salford simply couldn't cope with Walsall finishing with an xG of 1.07 from set pieces. 

Perhaps what was even more encouraging, was their 1.01 xG from open play, and the creativity from wide areas was key to Walsall's threat in the final third. 

Walsall completed 43 per cent of their 21 crosses and had 15 shots from inside the box from only 31 touches in the opposition area. 

In contrast, Salford had one more touch than Walsall in the opposition box (32), but attempted just two shots from inside the area. 

Low-possession suits Walsall

That was just another illustration of how effective Sadler's men were defensively. Salford dominated possession, keeping 70 per cent of the ball and making 289 more passes than Walsall's lowly tally of 192.

Yet Walsall remained disciplined and organised, won the first and second tackles and contended well in their duels to force them into a frustrating amount of lateral passes. 

Salford's style suited Walsall's high-pressing brand of football and the work that went into the press from the front-two, Jamie Jellis and Charlie Lakin was crucial. 

Pressley in particular showed just why he looks a really shrewd signing this summer. He won 15 of his duels, worked tirelessly to prevent Salford from building out and played exceptionally well with his back to goal. 

The only criticism that can be levelled at the Scottish frontman is that he needs to be more calm in front of goal, but hopefully that confidence and composure will come with time. 

Super subs

Once Jellis and Albert Adomah ran themselves into the ground, Sadler timed his substitutions to perfection with the introductions of Brandon Comley, Ryan Finnigan and Kanu on the hour-mark. 

Finnigan was very positive with his runs and looked very silky on the ball, but never shirked his defensive responsibilities either. Lewis Warrington did look a little light in the holding role and Comley's experience and ability to read the game helped shore up the midfield. 

Then, Kanu produced an exciting cameo from the bench, as the Bescot got their first glimpse of the Charlton Athletic loanee in the wake of Jonny Stuttle's recall following his ACL injury.

He caused havoc with his pace and propensity to run in behind, especially against tiring Salford legs, and could've quite easily scored once or twice. Salford goalkeeper Young is the only reason he didn't, while Flint, who was rock solid in defence, planted another header wide late on. 

And that was the only criticism that could be directed at Walsall: they should've won even more convincingly, at least in terms of the score-line. 

Yet amid the question marks over the lack of creativity in their ranks in recent games, Walsall produced exactly the type of performance and result needed to at least alleviate early season concerns at the end of a difficult week.