Saddlers Head Coach Matt Taylor felt as though his side gave visitors Forest Green Rovers a little bit too much respect in the first half of Wednesday night’s game at the Banks’s Stadium as they fell to their first defeat in nine games.
Taylor made a host of changes for the final group game in the Papa John’s Trophy and goals either side of the break from Mathew Stevens and Jake Young for the visitors saw Rob Edwards’ side overtake Taylor’s in Southern Group G to finish top.
“I thought first half we gave Forest Green too much respect,” said Taylor.
“We or the players were probably caught in two minds as to whether or not to really release and press and we didn’t and I think that in the second half you saw an improvement.
“We spoke about it at half time and the players came out and we looked more energised but it’s difficult to take in terms of the defeat because we’ve had enough chances there in the second half to get back in it but you realise and you understand that those margins in terms of scoring and winning goals are so small and tonight we haven’t taken our chances.
“Having said that, I thought the second half was a huge improvement.”
One of the changes that the Head Coach made saw recent signing Otis Khan make his debut and get 90 minutes under his belt for this first time this season and Taylor was really pleased with his performance.
“Otis has played in two positions tonight and I thought he was brave on the ball in terms of wanting to commit defenders,” Taylor continued.
“His delivery was one of the reasons we wanted to bring him to the football club because you see it’s different to the players we currently have at the club.
“It was a pleasing performance for him tonight for his first 90 minutes of competitive football in a long time.”