Following Wednesday's Final Third Development League (West) draw between Walsall and Port Vale, Saddlers Development Coach, and one-third of the current managerial set-up, John Ward has spoken to club journalists and was keen to pick out the positives as his side gained some much needed match fitness.
Speaking via Saddlers.co.uk, John said; “As we’ve encountered over the past couple of weeks the wind affected the game. But we’ve had plenty of practise in it that’s for sure. It was blustery from one end to the other so we had to deal with the conditions and a fairly senior Port Vale side.
"That said, the players performed extremely well and I was particularly pleased with their attitude and approach to the game. We were trying to get the ball down and play and then a defensive mix up put them a goal up. And it was probably the only lapse we had all afternoon.
“We then got back in the game with fantastic goal from Reece Flanagan. Their goalkeeper misplaced his clearance and Reece has controlled it with one touch and put it straight back in with the other. He’s got that little bit of quality that can make the difference but today was a real team performance.
“I said to the players after Stratford defeat that it was the first time I’d been disappointed with their performance but we’ve had a good upgrade from everyone today.The senior players amongst us responded really well and we’ve cone through the game unscathed so plenty of an extremely positive afternoon.
“When you look at the weekend games, a lot of our boys have been or will be involved in the first team squad so they’re going to have to deal with senior opposition. They done that tremendously well today and they can be pleased with their performance."
SOURCE | WALSALL FOOTBALL CLUB