Walsall boss Darrell Clarke was pleased with his team’s reaction against Newport County following their disappointing defeat to Cheltenham Town but admitted he was frustrated his side didn’t pick up three points at Rodney Parade.
Elijah Adebayo’s goal was cancelled out by Scott Twine’s strike in the first half as the Saddlers earned a credible 1-1 draw against table toppers Newport.
Clarke is confident the team can turn frustrating draws into wins but he was pleased to get the response he wanted from his players after Saturday’s defeat.
“I was looking for a reaction after the disappointing performance in the second half against Cheltenham,” said Clarke.
“It was the first time the lads had caved in this season.
“Then last night the work-rate and endeavor (was good), we limited them and probably had the better chances through the course of the game.
“I’m pleased with that but very frustrated and disappointed we haven’t made it three points.
“I thought the press was very good. We worked really hard.
“I was looking for a good reaction from my boys against top of the table, who are flying at the minute.
“The response was good but it’s certainly the most frustrating spell for me as a manager.
"These 14 games that we've had. Three wins, eight draws, three losses. A lot of those draws could have been wins.
"It's easy for me to say that but I'm feeling the frustration.
"Fans are feeling the frustration, which I apologise for, but we keep working hard.
"They're a good set of lads and we need to turn those draws into wins.
"In this league you can go and win four or five games on the spin and I think I have the players capable of doing that.
"We want it to come sooner rather than later.”
The Saddlers have a week until their next game at home to Stevenage on Wednesday 2nd December.
After a hectic schedule at the start of the season, Clarke is keen to get the balance right between work and rest over the next week.
"We want to play games don't we but we have a lot of work to do,” Clarke commented.
"But I'd be saying that if we won our last three games.
"Work and rest, get the balance right.
"You can see the effort out there, the lads are non-stop with the pressing and working the ball.
"We need to get that rest period right but also get the balance of the work right.”