Following Tuesday evening's Capital One Cup Round 2 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, Walsall manager Dean Smith spoke to the local press and praised his side for their resilient performance as they progressed to the next round.
Speaking to Michael Beardmore of the Walsall Advertiser, Smith said; "The first half was very difficult – Brighton had four at the back and one sat in front of them and it was very difficult to break them down. We spoke at half-time about getting a bit more movement and we went on to score two really good goals.
"The substitutes certainly made an impact – Romaine Sawyers, Cooky and Matt Preston with his ball down the side for the first goal and the tackle he won on the halfway line that led to the second.
"I just felt I was getting Sam Mantom and Reece Flanagan quite high on the pitch and I'd rather have Romaine doing that job – and he went on and did it really well.
"He looked like he had the bit between his teeth when he came on as well. He certainly made an impact and Jordan was unlucky with a fierce shot that got deflected wide. He came on and put a shift in, as did Matt Preston.
"It was a great result. It's really pleasing to make it to the third round for the first time. I felt in the first half we probably paid them a little bit too much respect and were a little too slow on the ball.
"They then went ahead through a very dubious penalty. I thought the one he didn't give in the second half was more of a penalty. But I think the result showed the resilience of the players. They created some good chances in the second half against a really well-organised team.
"I thought we showed some real quality at times. I thought we showed some naivety in the first half but second half we certainly showed some quality against a good team. With Nottingham Forest away and Brighton at home I don't think we could have predicted this start."
SOURCE: WALSALL ADVERTISER