Walsall Football Club manager Dean Smith has spoken to the press following Saturday afternoon's defeat to Scunthorpe United, and admitted that playing new recruit Mathieu Manset for the full 90 minutes was a punt as the French striker is lacking fitness, and was paired against an experienced, well drilled defender.Speaking to the Express & Star, Smith said; “The pace of the game at Scunthorpe was tough for him and he did not get much change out of Miles Addison. He has played at a higher level so it was always going to be tough.
“We thought we would only get 60 to 65 minutes out of him but we had to leave him on.
“It’s disappointing because we kept putting the ball onto Addison’s head. He is renowned for heading the ball and we kept putting it up there.
“But Mathieu will get better when he gets fitter and we know that. It was probably a punt to throw him in on Saturday but we went for it.”