Walsall Football Club first-team manager Dean Smith has spoken to the club's official website ahead of this weekend's Sky Bet League One match against Barnsley, and along with looking ahead to the game, has joined Richard O'Donnell and Paul Downing in praising the Saddlers supporters for their backing during the mid-week cup victory over Tranmere Rovers.
Speaking to Saddlers.co.uk, Dean said; "We make a return to home soil after what seems like an eternity on the road! We feel that we have the momentum with us at the moment; Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out victory at Tranmere has given us all a boost.
"It’s pleasing for us as a club to make progress in this competition and I was delighted with the character displayed by my players. It was an exciting game and I was pleased for the fans, who gave us great backing all evening.
"The opportunity is there for us, but for the time being our focus turns to the battle for League points and the visit of Barnsley.
"It will be a tough game; they have a lot of experience in their side and we know that we are going to have to be at our best to get the result that we desire. They like to pass it and play football, so it has all the ingredients to be an entertaining game.
"It will be nice to see Hutch again as he comes here as part of the Barnsley coaching staff. I have a lot of time for him and took a lot of advice from him after he brought me back to the club as Head of Youth.
"There’s a special Family Ticket offer at Saturday’s game as part of our festive Fun Day, so hopefully this will help create a great atmosphere inside the stadium with everyone right behind us."
SOURCE SADDLERS.CO.UK