Walsall manager Darrell Clarke was left frustrated after seeing his side lose to Salford City on Saturday and admitted there weren’t many positives to take from the game.
The Saddlers saw their four match winning streak come to an end on what proved to be a disappointing afternoon at the Banks’s Stadium.
Clarke was disappointed with the overall performance and has challenged his players to respond quickly.
“Players need to learn quickly because I have just said to them – I wait for no man,” he said.
“I want success, I’m hungry for success and I’m hungry to bring success to Walsall.
“It was very much a bad day at the office.
“We finished this game with a lot of young players on the pitch, and I’m not saying this just about the young players, because my senior boys didn’t come out with much credit as well.
“I didn’t think we showed the character that we needed in the game.
“To be fair to Alfie Bates, 18-years-old, he took the game by the scruff of the neck and can come away with a pat on his back. But apart from that there aren’t many positives to take.”
The Saddlers were without striker Rory Gaffney, who was ineligible and influential midfielder Danny Guthrie.
Gaffney was unable to face his parent club but Clarke is hoping some of the injured players will be fit again soon.
“Hopefully we’ll get a couple of players back next week and get the experienced boys back, that will help us,” Clarke said.
“Danny is a big player for us, so is Rory Gaffney, so is Caolan Lavery.
“They are big players because they have been there and experienced it.
“I’m not using it as an excuse but we haven’t got the squad in-depth that a lot of teams will have at this level and we can’t afford to be without these lads.
“Sometimes a couple of key players who were missing today can be the difference.”
Walsall will be hoping to bounce back when they take on Leyton Orient this weekend.
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