Walsall knocked out of the FA Cup by Reading...
Head coach Sean O’Driscoll believes his side have learned some valuable lessons from their FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Reading.Matej Vydra’s brace and further strikes from Hal Robson-Kanu and Danny Williams gave the Royals a comprehensive 4-0 win.
But despite the result, O’Driscoll feels his Saddlers team have learned from the experience and will be a better side for it.
“I thought it took us a while to work out what we needed to do,” admitted O’Driscoll afterwards.
“I thought once we did, we were well in the game but it was disappointing that it was a quick throw from Chris Gunter that undid us.
“We were probably a bit shell shocked and a well-worked goal saw us go 2-0 down.
“But I said to them at half-time, these are a battle-hardened Championship team and they are going to do the right things at the right times.
“Sometimes it won’t be pretty but it will test our organisation and discipline and we have to make sure our decision making is better.
"I thought we were excellent in the second half until the two centre-backs made a mistake and then all of a sudden we are 3-0 down.
“But I think the boys will put this to bed. We won’t analyse it to death because we knew the lessons we had to learn and we have learned them.
"We have got a lot of big games coming up and I think some of the lessons they have learned will stand them in good stead.”
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was stretchered off in the second half after cutting his knee and is now a doubt for tomorrow’s League One match at Doncaster.
Supporters CAN purchase tickets from the away ticket office at the Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow night. However, there will be NO CASH turnstile available on the day.
Purchase your Doncaster tickets now by calling our ticket office on 01922 651416.
Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets online at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/walsallfc/