Playmaker in fine form during Walsall's draw at Crewe...
Head coach Sean O’Driscoll hailed the “outstanding” performance of playmaker Romaine Sawyers after Walsall’s 1-1 draw at Crewe.The 24-year-old was back to his best against the Alex and helped win the first-half penalty from which Tom Bradshaw fired the Saddlers in front.
Sawyers went close to scoring himself with a placed effort which was saved by inspired Crewe keeper Ben Garratt, while he also created chances for Bradshaw and Andy Taylor.
And speaking afterwards, O’Driscoll was full of praise for Walsall’s talented number 10.
“I thought he was outstanding,” said O’Driscoll.
“That is the Romaine you want - the Romaine who will score and create goals.
“He found spaces and is technically very good.
“If he had walked off with the winning goal it would have been justified for his performance as I thought he was very good.”
Despite going ahead through Bradshaw’s 32nd-minute spot-kick, Walsall were forced to settle for a point after Brad Inman’s second-half leveller.
The Saddlers dominated long periods of an absorbing encounter, registering 19 shots to Crewe’s four – and O’Driscoll felt his side deserved victory.
“We could have been out of sight after the first 10 minutes,” he admitted.
“It was a different Crewe side to the one you normally see; they got the ball forward really early and played off second balls.
“But defensively I thought we were excellent. I can’t really remember them having too many chances.
“I’m disappointed with the result as I felt we did more than enough to get the three points.
"But I was delighted with the level of performance once again.”