Manager on our first pre-season at AFC Telford United...
SADDLERS' boss, Dean Smith, has reflected on our “indifferent” 1-0 defeat at AFC Telford United.
A first half penalty condemned The Saddlers to a pre-season set-back, but Smith remains upbeat having had chance to run the rule over his squad.
“Every game you play you want to win,” he admitted. “There were some good performances, some average ones and some below average ones but you expect that when you field 22 players in one game.
“Tom Bradshaw looked very bright when he came on at half time, Romaine Sawyers and Jason Demetriou looked sharp as well as one or two others.
“I thought we started both halves well. We tried two different formations and created a good number of chances.
“Tom has had five or six and we thought Milan’s free kick was in from where we were.
“It was a good run out but as I say the disappointing part is that you want to win games."
Smith also provided an update on a number of trialists who had joined the squad for pre-season.
“We’ve had a look at John Cofie, Zac Thompson and Chris Sutherland," he admitted. "Unfortunately there’s no contract there for them. I’ve told them this week and they’ve gone off to look for other things.
"We’re still looking for centre-back. There’s someone coming in to train with us this week and will be involved on Saturday.
"It was important that all the players got a run out and some will feature at Rushall tomorrow evening as well."
Walsall and AFC Telford United fans alike marked the recent deaths of Joel Richards, Adrian Evans and Patrick Evans with a minute’s silence before the game and a minute's applause for each minute of their respective ages.
“It was a fitting tribute," added Smith. "We’ve all been traumatised by what happened in Tunisia. The fans really showed their support to family because now is the toughest time for them, after it has all died down."