On Tuesday evening Walsall Football Club defeated Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest in the First Round of the Capital One Cup, following the game, which finished 4-3 to the Saddlers, Dean Smith spoke to the club's official website and discussed his delight at seeing his side go through to the next round.
Speaking to Saddlers.co.uk, Smith said; “It was a very dramatic night, full of entertainment. We started the game really well and were much better on the ball than we were on Saturday.
“Technically we were very good and we got our midfielders out at every opportunity. To go two goals up was beyond our imagination but then we had to dig in and be resilient at times as well.
“Late on, emotions were wavering. At 3-1 I was thinking ‘can we go and rest Tom now and make a substitution?’ Then they put Antonio on and score an unbelievable goal to get back in it.
“I was disappointed to concede the equaliser but was really pleased with our response, looking to go and get the winner and it was a nice little move to win the penalty. So I’m delighted.
REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3 WALSALL 4
“It took a lot of nerve for Tom to get up and take the penalty. He missed his last one and we spoke about his penalties and he told me where he was going to put his next one.
“I told him where I used to put mine and he stuck it in so I’m really pleased for him. He worked hard up there on his own in a different system.
“I made a few changes in personnel and it shows we’ve got strength in depth this season.
“You look at players like Reece Flanagan, Rico Henry and Kieron Morris and it’s so pleasing for me to see products of our Academy out there competing with Championship players.
“So full credit to the players tonight. This is a tough place to come and they’ve got some very good players as well so it’s a great win for us.”
SOURCE: WALSALL FOOTBALL CLUB