Defender targeting victory at Peterborough...
Right-back Jason Demetriou is hoping Walsall can build on last weekend’s victory over Doncaster when we travel to managerless Peterborough tomorrow afternoon.The Saddlers ran out 2-0 winners against Rovers, courtesy of Tom Bradshaw’s stunning late double, to move back up to second in League One.
Walsall can go top with a win this weekend, depending on leaders Gillingham’s result at Colchester.
And ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the ABAX Stadium, Demetriou is targeting another positive result to maintain our impressive start to the campaign.
“We’re looking forward to Saturday,” said the 27-year-old. “We got back to winning ways last week and hopefully we can build on that result and stay where we are in the league.
“It wasn’t our best performance (against Doncaster) but if we can win when playing badly, then that’s a good sign. There’s a good feeling within the group and we’re trying to get the best out of each other.
“Peterborough had a good result (a 5-1 win against Oldham), and when a manager goes, it can change the whole philosophy. But we believe that, on our day, we can beat anyone.
“We need to make sure that we focus on what we’re doing and not so much about what’s happening with them.
“We’re on a good run and we need to continue that.”
Demetriou – along with Philippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge - has yet to taste defeat with the Saddlers, having missed the games against Morecambe (0-2) and Bury (0-1) due to international duty.
“We did have a joke with some of the boys that we’re still unbeaten in Walsall colours!” he said.
“Hopefully that can continue, but I spoke to the gaffer and he said that we didn’t deserve to lose those games. He wasn’t annoyed because we played so well but we just didn’t score.
"You’re going to have those days – but hopefully there won’t be too many of them.”
While away on international duty, Demetriou played the full 90 minutes of Cyprus’ European Championship qualifiers against Wales and Belgium.
“It was amazing,” said Demetriou, who has won 24 caps. “I feel lucky to have had that experience.
"If we didn’t have these internationals, then I would never get to play against those players.
"It was as an honour, and we were unlucky to come away with nothing from both games (two 1-0 defeats).
“I came away with Gareth Bale’s shirt (after the Wales game) so it’s a nice memory.”
Isaiah Osbourne is out of tomorrow's match at Peterborough with a knee injury. Dean Smith has no other injury concerns.