Our first match of 2017...
Jon Whitney insists lessons have been learned from the Saddlers' defeat at Rochdale earlier in the season.Keith Hill’s side visit the Banks’s Stadium this afternoon having won the reverse meeting 4-0 back in November.
But with the Saddlers unbeaten in three games, having also kept back-to-back away clean sheets at Port Vale and Oxford, Whitney feels his side are in a “better position” ahead of today’s re-match.
“The last game [against Rochdale] still hurts a little bit and I want the players to remember how we felt afterwards,” said Whitney.
“Rochdale are high tempo and they mix it up really well. But we can do that as well and we have learnt from that game.
“I have learnt as well and I think we are in a much better position going into this one.
“We are looking solid, we are difficult to break down and we are creating good chances. “We know if we do the basics right we are a real threat.
“And we are determined to come away from this game having extended our unbeaten run to four matches. I’d say that would be a really good start to the new year.”
Matt Preston is a doubt for today's match after missing the New Year's Eve draw with Oxford through illness.