Walsall boss Mat Sadler has praised Priestley Farquharson after the defender marked his first league start in fifteen months by grabbing a win-confirming goal against Harrogate Town.
Going into the match on the back of a disappointing defeat to Colchester United, the Saddlers scored in either half to re-take their place at the top of the Sky Bet League Two table.
Opening the scoring via Daniel Kanu's seventh goal of the season, the returning Farquharson put his side two-goals ahead just before full-time, something Sadler was 'delighted' to see.
Speaking to the assembled media, Sadler said: "I was delighted with that because he was going to come off just before it, but then we had a couple of set plays, which I wanted him to be a pest with.
"Our set plays were class today. I've got no qualms to say that they offer a very good route to goal for us.
"Priestley has worked so hard to put himself in the position to play, and I just felt today that the solidity and athleticism he gives us provided great balance."
The gaffer then went on to talk about his decision to make a handful of changes to the starting line-up as Farquharson, Jid Okeke, Lewis Warrington, and Jamille Matt all came into the side.
Sadler continued: "We changed a couple of things around, but we did that with the intention of just making sure we looked like us.
"The Walsall that we come to expect from each other, and we've looked like that so often this season anyway.
"We wanted to be hard to play against, physical, carry a threat on set pieces and get the ball out wide to the wing-backs.
"There was a good balance to the team today and a really good blend."
Quotes: Express & Star.