Jon Guthrie says Walsall are loving playing at the Banks’s Stadium - and wants Saddlers fans to turn our ground into a fortress once again against Blackpool this weekend.
The defender has been an ever-present for Jon Whitney’s side this season since signing on a free transfer in the summer, playing 15 games in total in 2017/18.
The Saddlers are unbeaten at home so far this season in the league, taking hard-earned victories against Oldham Athletic and Plymouth Argyle along the way.
Guthrie is relishing the chance to play at home once again this weekend with the Seasiders the visitors this weekend.
“We love playing at home at the moment,” said Guthrie.
“We’ve gone unbeaten so far this season at the Banks’s and we want to continue that this weekend against Blackpool.
“At home, we have our fans behind us and they’ve really helped us on. We want to get the ground to become that fortress and the more and more games we play and win there, the better that gets.
“We can’t say enough how much the fans can help us on. They stick with us when things don’t go our way and hopefully they can keep that going for us.”
Guthrie looks back to the 3-3 draw against Bradford City as a prime example of that atmosphere in action.
The Saddlers were 3-0 down early in the second half, despite having much of the play in front of goal.
The atmosphere rose as Luke Leahy pulled one back, and Tyler Roberts and Amadou Bakayoko then struck to ensure we took a deserved point from proceedings.
“The Bradford game sums that up - the attitude of the players, the fans and the whole club really,” Guthrie added.
“We knew it wasn’t a 3-0 game and we were still in it - and obviously we came back to get a deserved point.
“It’s a really positive environment and credit must go to the management and staff for that. They keep it upbeat around the training ground and everywhere, really.
“All the games we’ve had, probably Rotherham aside, have been close-run and we’ve been in the game competing.”
Guthrie is anticipating another tough test from Blackpool, with Gary Bowyer’s side sitting 11th in League One following their promotion from League Two via the play-offs last term.
And while the 25-year-old will be seeing a few familiar faces from his previous club, Guthrie’s mind is focused firmly on getting the right result this Saturday.
“Blackpool will come to us knowing it’ll be a tough game, looking at our home form,” said the centre-back.
“They’ve started the season well, coming up from the division below, and it’s down to us to stop that confidence early to get those three points.
“There’ll be a few familiar faces there for me. I played with Ollie Turton, Kelvin Mellor and Max Clayton at Crewe Alexandra.
“I know a few of them and I’m sure I’ll speak to them after the game but on the pitch, it’ll be completely professional and we’ll be looking to get three points.”