Walsall travel to Gillingham tonight...
Jon Whitney is looking for a positive response from his players when Walsall travel to fellow promotion contenders Gillingham this evening.The Saddlers slipped to sixth in League One after a narrow 1-0 reverse at resurgent relegation strugglers Oldham – our second successive away defeat.
Despite the result, Walsall remain eight points off the automatic promotion places but with two games in hand.
And ahead of tonight’s rearranged clash at Priestfield Stadium, Whitney has called for his side to put Saturday’s disappointment firmly behind them.
“We have got seven games to go and, of course, at different times of the season attitudes and emotions change,” said Whitney.
“Some people are panicking but we’re still in a great position to kick on.
“The result against Oldham makes things a bit more difficult now as we need to pick up the points on Tuesday to put the pressure back on Burton.
“A result would have been great against Oldham as we would then be going to Gillingham with a bit of momentum and a bit more confidence.
“The lads were disappointed but their heads weren’t too down as they understood we performed quite well on a really difficult pitch.
“We got hit by a sucker-punch. Sometimes in football you get kicked in the teeth but it’s about what you do next. We’ve got to stay positive and look to respond at Gillingham.”
Top scorer Tom Bradshaw (groin) and defender James O’Connor (calf) will be assessed before tonight’s match.
Midfielder Isaiah Osbourne (knee) is a long-term absentee.