Brian Dutton Admits the Saddlers 'Shot Themselves in the Foot' Brian Dutton Admits the Saddlers 'Shot Themselves in the Foot'

Brian Dutton Admits the Saddlers 'Shot Themselves in the Foot'

Head Coach Brian Dutton spoke to the press following the Saddlers' League Two clash with Bolton Wanderers.
Speaking after his side saw their winless run extended to ten games with a 2-1 defeat to the Trotters, Dutton admitted his team 'shot themselves in the foot' as they let a first-half lead slip to end the game without a point.

The Saddlers opened the scoring via Sam Perry's first senior goal, the academy product lashing home via his weaker foot, but were under increasing levels of pressure during the second forty-five, leading to the Trotters turning the game on it's head.

The home side levelled the scores via Kieran Lee's header after sixty-seven minutes of play before high-scoring Eoin Doyle put his side from the penalty spot, into the lead ten minutes from time.

To add to the Saddlers' woes, right-back Hayden White saw red for a second-half clash with Bolton's Oladapo Afolayan, meaning he will miss the Saddlers' next three outings.

Dutton, who is yet to taste victory since replacing Darrell Clarke in the Banks's Stadium hot seat, admitted he was disappointed with how his team failed to retain their lead as theie struggle continues.

Speaking to the assembled media, Brian said; "We’ve shot ourselves in the foot. We were in control in the first half, the game plan was working.

"Bolton got the equaliser through good play and then we capitulated. That’s through ill-discipline and naivety, which I don’t expect from one of my experienced boys.

"I expect that from youth. It’s a real shame because Hayden has been fantastic since I’ve been at the football club and he’s let himself down today.

"It’s the actions of a youngster, getting embroiled and tangled up in that incident.

"Whether it’s a red card or not, he’s still given the referee the opportunity and when you’re protecting a valuable point that’s something that you shouldn’t be doing. Hayden has been fantastic for me but he’s let himself down there."

There were several other incidents of note during the game including player/ coach Mat Sadler giving away the match-winning penalty whilst Cameron Norman was booked for diving during a forgettable afternoon for the Reds.

When asked about both the penalty and apparent dive, Dutton added; "My assistant manager tells me that he nicked the ball, so I have to trust his opinion because he’s an honest lad.

"The one up the other end is difficult for me to comment on because I didn’t get the best view of it. I wouldn’t expect us to get it with the luck we’re having with referee decisions at the moment.

"If the referee is saying that he’s dived, then it’s a yellow card, but I don’t have a definite opinion on it other than we seem to be on the wrong side of refereeing results.

"My confidence is low with referees at the moment but I can’t say whether it was a penalty or not."
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