Walsall Head Coach Mat Sadler praised striker Mo Faal after his injury time winner against Salford City.
The Saddlers bounced back from Friday’s disappointing defeat at MK Dons with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Ammies at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Easter Monday.
Sadler was impressed with the determination and endeavour Faal showed and pleased the 21-year-old got on the scoresheet.
“I was delighted for Mo to get his goal at the end there,” Sadler said.
“Fair play to him, he keeps putting himself in the positions, he keeps trying to do the right thing, he keeps trying to be a focal point, a leader to get goals the way that we want him to, especially backing up on Friday when he misses his chance.
“I’m buzzing for him that he goes and scores the winner there because he deserves that. He’s a player with incredible talent, I love how he keeps putting himself out there to do the right things, to be that focal point for us – he alongside the ones that played.
“Jamma (Jamille Matt) unfortunately had to come off but they all worked their socks off, they worked tirelessly to affect the backline and I’m so pleased for Mo.”
The Saddlers Head Coach admitted the performance wasn’t his team’s most free-flowing but he was happy with how the players responded to Friday’s display and how they kept pushing to get the three points they needed.
“We kept going, it’s fair to say it wasn’t one of our most fluid performances but I also think it’s fair to say we gave a real response to the game on Friday and that was most important,” Sadler explained.
“Collectively, to keep going, to keep trying to find that momentum, to keep trying to do the right things when it wasn’t going as fluidly as we wanted it to be but to keep going shows the resilience, the desire, the determination, the character of the group to keep fighting and keep fighting for each other.”
The Saddlers opened the scoring through Jamille Matt, who netted his fifth goal of the campaign in all competitions.
The striker made his return from injury on Friday and was substituted at half time on Monday.
His goal came from Walsall’s 20th from a set play this season and Sadler again praised the work behind the scenes as well as Matt’s attributes to ensure the set piece routine paid off.
“Jamma showing what Jamma is, you don’t get those opportunities in the box without being such a physical presence that he is,” Sadler commented.
“It looked like a scrap between them from the off and I certainly wouldn’t want to get in a scrap with Jamille, I’d be staying well clear of him.
“It was a great delivery, I’ve spoke about Dan (Watson) and Lewis (Needham) and the work that goes in to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, especially from set plays and we’ll continue to do that and it really paid off.
“I’m delighted for Jamille, he was fatiguing as 30 minutes came through and he’s seeing his way through from the injury but I know what a powerhouse he can be so we’ve just got to manage that and see how that is.
“I’m delighted that pays off and we get that magic moment at the end and supporters go home happy with the win and we keep moving forwards.
“We’re in the hunt, we’re in the mix. We had to win with the way results have gone and I’m delighted that we do that. We’re riding the coattails and we’ll keep pushing.”
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