Walsall Football Club

Andy, thanks for joining us. The good run continued after a solid point away at Tranmere Rovers last week. What did you make of that encounter?

“I don’t think it was one of our best performances and possibly one earlier on in the season that we might have lost but it shows the form we are in, the spirit in the group that we can not perform at our best and still get results and I think there was a feeling of disappointment that we didn’t hold out and win the game despite having 10-men and the way the game went but we still felt like we could have won it but it’s a good sign from everyone that there was that element of disappointment in the dressing room afterwards that we believe we can go away to Tranmere, who are a good side and get a win like we have been recently.”

Does that show how far the team have come given that perhaps earlier in the season, you may have been happier with a point rather than the disappointing feeling that was felt in the dressing room?

“Definitely. It was frustrating that we conceded straight away after the red card. If we maybe held on for a few minutes there might have been frustration from their part and it could have been a totally different game but I think it’s definitely a sign of the way we’ve moved on and the way we’ve been improving and credit to the gaffer and Hats (Wayne Hatswell) for all the work they do with us, the positivity and the way they’ve changed the mindset in the club, in the group and I think it’s really good moving forward the way we’re going.”

What do you think was the key to that change of mindset?

“I think it’s taken a bit of time. The gaffer and Hats are winners and they’ve implemented that into every day’s training so we’ve got the standards that we set every day are very high and the standards in training are very high, I think that’s important. I’d like to think as well that bringing in good people, the right people and people with experience of winning as well to help add to what was already in the group.”

With just one defeat in 13, the team have a lot of momentum behind them. How big is momentum in football?

“There was a big frustration from everyone at the start of the season. We got off to a flying start but then it went a bit wrong for a bit. I kept saying at the time ‘now is not the time to be on the unbelievable run.’ The time to be on it is now because this is the time of the season when it starts to matter so I think it’s the right time to be in good form but it’s important that we maintain it, keep going because we’re not even where we want to be yet but once we get there, we’ve got to stay there so it’s important that we keep the run going and just keep ticking them off and getting the points we want to get to where we want to be.”

When you look back at moments in the season or turning points, do you look to your late goal at Stockport in early October? Does it look like an even bigger goal than it did at the time?

“I try not to look back too much. When we went there again recently in the cup it was revisited a bit. It was a good feeling, especially for me being my first competitive goal for Walsall, it was important for me. I think at the time it was important for everyone, the gaffer included. I don’t think for 80 minutes we probably could have played any worse than we did up there on that day so to come away with a draw, I think it gave everyone a bit of belief. We’re not playing anywhere near our capability and yet we’re still getting draws against one of the best teams in the league and we went on a really good run and we’re still on it. It’s definitely a much different place to be in, a much better place to be in and that belief from everyone in the group, not just from the older boys who probably had it all along but the younger ones probably believe we can do this, we’re a good group with good players and if you have that belief added to the ability in the group, that can go a long way.”

Pick up a copy of Saddlers Shout for just £4 at Saturday's match to read the full interview with Andy.