Saddlers' interim head coach says fans can make a difference...
Walsall’s interim head coach Jon Whitney has called for unity from everyone involved with the club.The 45-year-old has been placed in charge of first-team affairs following the departure of Sean O’Driscoll.
Despite being winless in six, the Saddlers are fourth in League One, just five points off the automatic promotion places.
And Whitney, who will be assisted by Neil Cutler and John Ward, wants everyone pulling in the same direction as he attempts to get our promotion bid back on track.
“We had a meeting yesterday and I made sure as many people as possible were in there,” said Whitney.
“We have to have a collective effort. Not everything will go to plan and mistakes will be made - from myself as well - but those mistakes will be made trying to do the right things.
“If we can all go off that basis and keep to that ethos then hopefully the energy we can produce as a collective will see us over the line.
“We have to take each game and we have to concentrate on performance.
“Let’s try to turn mistakes into a positive reaction. If we can do that we will be OK.”
Whitney has also asked the club’s supporters to rally behind the team.
“The fans can be the 12th man,” he added. “I know from when I was a player that the fans make a hell of a difference.
“If you’ve got a family member who’s not been before, a young nephew, an aunty, an uncle, a long lost gran – get them down to the Banks’s one weekend and we will do our utmost to entertain.
“The players give their all. They make mistakes, but what we do is cover each other. We need the fans to cover our backs as well.
“Let’s make it a positive atmosphere and let’s just see if that can create something special this year.”