Walsall boss Darrell Clarke praised the impact of Jake Scrimshaw and the substitutes after his side’s thrilling 4-3 victory against Port Vale.
The Saddlers found themselves 2-0 down at half time which prompted him to make four changes at the break.
The substitutions had the desired effect as Walsall drew level through Scrimshaw and Dan Scarr but were forced to show their resolve for a second time as Vale re-took the lead before Scrimshaw and Scarr turned the game on its head by each scoring their second goals of the game.
Clarke was pleased with the togetherness that his players showed and praised the impact of his substitutes, particularly Scrimshaw.
"He's been outstanding,” Clarke said about the striker on loan from Bournemouth.
"The shape has been working for us with Elijah up top on his own but that's where you have to treat each game as a different project.
"Scrimmy has done well, Lavery has done well. The impact of the subs was very good.
"Then to respond within the game second half at 3-2 and to go and win it 4-3 was tremendous.
“I have to apologise for the team I picked.
“Everybody is saying roll out the same team, so I apologise for that.
“Most times when I play three games in a week, I change the team and make two or three changes. I didn’t do that today.
“I’m disappointed in that aspect but then the response from the lads that came on and came off was tremendous.
“It shows that we have a squad that is together. There was no-one chucking tea cups around at half-time.
“Players were obviously disappointed that they came off the pitch but they got behind their team-mates that were going on the pitch.
“That’s a good sign of the togetherness that we have but I’m certainly kicking myself for the team that I started with.”
The Saddlers now turn their attention to Boxing Day’s trip to Salford City.
You can watch the game live on iFollow by purchasing a match pass here.
Kick-off is at 3pm.