Walsall Head Coach Michael Flynn has called on his team to improve as they prepare to face Cheltenham Town in the Papa John’s Trophy this evening.
The Saddlers suffered a frustrating defeat away at league leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday and will be aiming to end their winless sequence tonight.
Flynn has a number of injury concerns to contend with having had nine players absent on Saturday and while the injury list is frustrating, Flynn insists the team must regroup and improve.
“They’re down, they care but they’ve got to be better, it’s as simple as that,” Flynn said.
“We’ve got nine players out and unfortunately; it’s really hurting us because five or six of them would be starters.
“Douglas (James-Taylor) got hurt in training on Friday, Hayden White cut his head open in training and Tom Knowles is ill. It sums our luck up at the minute where it’s going with players availability.”
“It’s not ideal, it’s not a good run but we need to turn it around quickly.”
It’s another quick turnaround for Walsall following Saturday’s defeat.
Omar Beckles scored the only goal of the game at Brisbane Road and while Flynn has called for more from his players, he felt they performed well in what was an encouraging first half.
“I thought we played really well first half, caused them a few problems but our end product wasn’t good enough,” he commented.
“Their only chance was from our mistake at the beginning of the game. Second half, although they had one other chance other than the goal, they were on the front foot more than us.
"They picked up the second balls and we’ve got too many not doing enough at the minute.”
Walsall midfielder Liam Kinsella was also frustrated after Saturday’s narrow defeat and is hoping for a change of fortunes.
“It’s got to turn,” he said.
“We keep getting in good positions, we work the play well and it’s not going in the back of then net when we want it to.
“At the back, it’s not going for us either. I thought we defended well, we limited their chances in the game, I don’t think they had many chances. The one chance where we switch off from the throw in, they get the goal.
“The good thing about having a game Tuesday, it comes round really quick. Papa John’s, nice to get the first three points in the group stage and take it to Cheltenham.”
It’s back-to-back away trips for the Saddlers with tonight’s trip to Gloucestershire.
367 travelled to Leyton Orient on Saturday and Kinsella was keen to praise the supporters.
“The fans have been excellent all season, they always have been," he added.
"The performances are there, if we can put it into 90 minutes and get a result to pay it back to them. It was fantastic support again."