Walsall boss Lee Grant praised his side for their patient, calculated performance as they opened their 2026/27 League Two campaign with an awayday win.
Making their way to the Priestfield Stadium, the Saddlers and hosts Gillingham played out a competitive affair on what turned out to be a warm afternoon in the Kent sunshine.
However, after waiting over eighty minutes for a goal, the Saddlers went on to score three as Isaac Moore, James Connolly, and Aaron Pressley netted, punishing their hosts, who were left with plenty issues to work on over the coming weeks.
Speaking to Express & Star reporter George Bennett, Lee said: "We had more possession in the game, we’ve had seventeen shots away from home, and we’ve won more tackles and headers.
However, after waiting over eighty minutes for a goal, the Saddlers went on to score three as Isaac Moore, James Connolly, and Aaron Pressley netted, punishing their hosts, who were left with plenty issues to work on over the coming weeks.
Speaking to Express & Star reporter George Bennett, Lee said: "We had more possession in the game, we’ve had seventeen shots away from home, and we’ve won more tackles and headers.
"We created nearly 3 xG - which is off the charts - and in terms of our big chances there are five we should probably have.
"Five goals in reality in the ones that we missed. Absolutely in this division, you’re going to get put to the test, and we know that the long throws, the long goal kicks, are going to test anybody.”
Grant, who has now seen his side go unbeaten in two competitions, went on to talk about his team as a whole, offering praise for the large number of debutants, who stood up to the challenge and helped their team secure the win, he continued: "It’s twelve debuts today - which is unthinkable really, and some of those are EFL debuts.
Grant, who has now seen his side go unbeaten in two competitions, went on to talk about his team as a whole, offering praise for the large number of debutants, who stood up to the challenge and helped their team secure the win, he continued: "It’s twelve debuts today - which is unthinkable really, and some of those are EFL debuts.
"We’re not just talking about debuts for us, we’re talking about people making their first steps into the game.
"Tai Sodje was one of them, and he was excellent coming off the bench. Courtney was great, of course, but all of the substitutes.
"Roman making his first steps in the game for us. Again, that contribution from everybody is going to be vital going forward.
"I’m really pleased with that and the energy we showed late on in the game."