Winger expecting tough test against the Tangerines...
IN-FORM Walsall winger, Milan Lalkovic, believes tomorrow’s trip to Blackpool will be “one of our hardest games so far” this season.The Saddlers are second in League One and targeting their sixth successive victory in all competitions - a feat we haven’t achieved since the 1997/98 campaign.
Opponents, Blackpool, suffered relegation from the Championship last season, and are currently bottom of League One, having failed to win any of their opening four fixtures.
Although both sides are in contrasting form, Lalkovic is expecting a tough fixture against the Tangerines – and admits we must also deal with the pressure of being favourites.
“There are no easy games,” said Lalkovic.
“I think it will be one of our hardest games so far. They’re looking for their first win and everyone expects us to win. They’re going to make it difficult.
“Our fans are travelling in their numbers so that will help us. We need to concentrate and just keep doing what we’re doing.
“I think we’ll win if we play at our best.”
The 22-year-old has been in scintillating form of late - scoring Walsall’s equaliser in the midweek win over Brighton, and being named Man of the Match in each of our last two matches.
Back at the Banks’s following a summer switch from Barnsley, Lalkovic is pleased with both his own performances – and those of the team.
“To be on the scoresheet (against Brighton) was fantastic,” said Lalkovic.
“We’re flying at the moment as a team and I’m doing well personally as well.
“The fans have welcomed me back and it was nice to share my goal with them and give them something back. I’m really happy and hopefully we can keep up our good form.
“We have to take it step by step. We can’t get carried away, we just have to keep going. Train hard, work hard and the results will come. We’ve got some talented players who can do good things.”
Saddlers manager, Dean Smith, hasn’t been afraid to shake things up this season, regularly changing personnel and altering systems. And Lalkovic admits that everyone is being kept on their toes.
“If you don’t do well, you don’t play,” said Lalkovic.
“You play average, or below average, someone else is knocking on the door and asking for your place. You have to play at your best all the time. Sometimes you need a breather which will help you, but everyone wants to play.
“When I was here two seasons ago, we were doing really well but dried out a little bit as we didn’t have people to come in. No disrespect to anybody but it’s not like it is now.
“We have more numbers, and when we make changes, we’re still really strong.”