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Club News

Clarke pleased with second half response

14 December 2020

Club News

Clarke pleased with second half response

14 December 2020

Walsall manager Darrell Clarke was pleased with his team’s response and second half display against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

The Saddlers came from behind thanks to goals from Elijah Adebayo and Rory Holden.

Clarke feels his team have the ability to win matches in different ways and while he wasn’t too happy with the performance in the first half, he praised his players for their second half response.

“First half not so (happy) to be honest - I didn’t think we were anywhere near it,” he said.

“We get the goal just before half-time which gives us a lift.

“A few words at half-time and I thought the second half response was very good in that first 15, 20 minutes.

“We scored a good goal from a set piece that gives you something to hang on to.

"We had a good foothold in it but Bolton have good players that can hurt you at any given moment.

"We've had to do a few tactical changes in the game as well, moving to a back five made us see it out a lot more comfortably.

"We have to learn to win football matches in different ways, so that's good.

"This league is about winning games in all sorts of different ways. We have enough quality to open teams up but we have to make sure we defend right.”

Clarke has been pleased to see his side find their scoring touch in the last two matches against Bolton and Tranmere Rovers.

He was particularly happy to see a set-piece routine come off against the Trotters and insists his side will continue working hard on being creative from set plays.

"We're working hard on all aspects of our game,” Clarke commented.

"We were unlucky with another free-kick too.

"We need to keep being inventive, keep trying things.

"It's always nice to score a couple goals. Three at Tranmere, two today.

"We're adding a few more goals to our game which is important.”

The Saddlers now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s trip to Oldham Athletic.

Kick-off is at 7pm and you can watch the game live on iFollow by purchasing a match pass here.


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