Saddlers Academy Manager Graham Biggs has spoken to club journalists following Saturday's Youth Alliance defeat to Wigan Athletic, which saw Joe Willis grab a consolation goal as the Latics ran out comfortable winners, and has admitted that he is disappointed with the result but sought to explain some of the issues which currently surround his winless side.
Graham, who was speaking via Saddlers.co.uk after his side suffered a 4-1 defeat, said; "It’s another disappointing result for us. We finished the game with two trialists, two Under-16s, an Under-15 and with 10 men due to a fatigue-related injury. I am not using this as an excuse but they are facts. I cannot fault any of the players’ effort or endeavour but we are certainly not getting the rub of the green at the moment.
Mwiya Malumo put the Latics ahead on 19 minutes and Charlie Jolley scored a quickfire double to make it 3-0 shortly after the hour. Willis pulled one back 15 minutes from time, but Mitchell Culshaw restored the visitors’ three-goal advantage two minutes later.
via Saddlers.co.uk
“During the game, I used four out of the five outfield substitutes, but two of the outfield players had to come off with injuries. One had to go to hospital for precautionary checks and the other needed a review with their GP due to ongoing health issues.
"At this moment, we have seven out of 19 scholars unable to play due to injuries, as well as Mitch Candlin training with the first team. All the injuries are down to contact and unfortunately these types of injuries cannot be prevented.
"That is despite all the injury prevention work that the players partake in, in addition to the monitoring of players through physical testing and load management. All we can do now, as a group, is stick together, work hard throughout the week and be prepared for the long trip away to Carlisle next Saturday."