Head Coach Michael Flynn is urging his team to be ready for a difficult challenge when his side face Tranmere Rovers this Saturday in Sky Bet League Two.
The Saddlers travel to Prenton Park having made a winning start to 2023 with victories against Mansfield Town and an Emirates FA Cup triumph against Stockport County last Sunday, securing a fourth round tie against Premier League outfit Leicester City later in the month.
Flynn was pleased to advance in the FA Cup last week but insists his side must be ready for the challenge that Micky Mellon’s side will pose.
“First and foremost it was a very good performance against a strong Stockport team,” he said.
“We hadn’t turned up in the last two games against them and when you do that against good teams you pay the price for it. We were very good on the day, could’ve had a couple more goals and ultimately deserved to advance into the fourth round of the cup.
“We’re in for another difficult test on Saturday however and if we’re not at our best we will get punished.
“Micky has been with them for a long time in different spells and he always puts a good squad together. He’s got promoted out the league before and they’re a hard-working team with players that can turn the game on its head so we’ve got to be at it from the get go.”
The team will be backed in Merseyside by 500+ Saddlers fans at the weekend and Flynn is full of praise for the support they have shown so far.
“The fans have been fantastic home and away all season and I’ve really enjoyed their support,” he added.
“You don’t always get the highs in football so it’s important to stick together through thick and thin because we’ve all got the same goal; for this club to go on and be successful whether it’s away from home or at the Poundland Bescot Stadium so their backing is crucial to us.
“I thank the fans for their continued support and hopefully we can go out there and get the three points that they deserve.”
Away from this weekend’s game, it was confirmed earlier this week that midfielder Jack Earing has sustained a long-term injury and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.
The Saddlers Head Coach has offered his support to the 23-year-old and hopes to see him return to the grass at the earliest opportunity.
“Jack landed awkwardly and has a full rupture of his ACL so it’s a lengthy spell on the sidelines for him,” Flynn explained.
“Our thoughts are with Jack and he’s got to get his head down now and start the road to recovery.
“Fortunately for him he has members of the squad who have been through a similar process so he has people to talk to, myself and the staff will be there for him and the football club will help him to come back even stronger.”