Walsall Head Coach Mat Sadler hopes the home supporters will drive the team on in Saturday’s first home match of the season against Stockport County.
The Saddlers will be aiming to get off the mark for the new campaign but head into the game on the back of an encouraging display against Championship team Blackburn Rovers.
Sadler is looking forward to playing in front of the home fans at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, who he has praised for their fantastic support so far, and he is keen to reward them.
“You’re desperate to do well and win games in front of your home supporters and make it a place that when you come home, you come home,” he said.
“I throw that out to the supporters, they’ve been brilliant since I’ve come in at the first two away games and at the back end of last season, they’ve been with us and they’ve drove us at times.
“I’m going to need each and every one of them to drive us and be part of that on Saturday. I urge everyone to come up with their big singing voices because our lads will thrive on it as there is a good opposition that we’re up against on Saturday. They’re a team that know the division well, an experienced team and management staff. They’ve got some fantastic players so we’ll have to be right on our metal on Saturday.
“We’ll give it our best shot and we’ll give it a right good go.”
Opponents Stockport will be looking to go one better this season after missing out on promotion last term, losing the play-off final on penalties.
Sadler is keen to see his team impose themselves against Stockport who he admits are a strong League Two team.
“They’re a really good side, I’d say they’re more than solid – they’re a good side for the division,” he commented.
“They’ve recruited well again and in their opinion I’m sure they’ve improved on what they had last season so I think it will be a tough game.
“It’s a game against a team who will expect to be in the top places and it will be down to us to match that, put our own style of things on it and it will be down to us to show what we’re about on the day.”
In terms of team news, Sadler will be able to call on striker Freddie Draper, after he served a suspension that he picked up back in Ireland.
The Saddlers boss also provided the latest on Priestley Farquharson and Tom Knowles but confirmed there are no fresh concerns after Tuesday night’s outing.
“Everyone is absolutely fine who played on Tuesday,” Sadler said.
“The two outstanding were Priestley and Tom and both are coming along very well and we’ll continue to assess that before the weekend.”
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