Express & Star

Darrell Clarke calls on Walsall experience

Darrell Clarke will be calling on his more experienced players to pull Walsall out of their rut as they travel to the Lancashire coast to face Morecambe.

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On the back of the 1-0 loss to Bradford last time out, the boss wants his attacking players to be more adventurous and take more chances, with goals currently at a premium.

Now he’s looking to his older players to help change the club’s fortunes as he called on Saddlers fans to stick with the side.

“We have some experienced players, Danny Guthrie’s got his first 90 of the season, we know what he’ll bring, plenty of talent, and he’ll get fitter and fitter as the season progresses,” Clarke said. “I’ve got enough experience in the squad to be able to handle that and we need that as well – as soon as we begin climbing the table we can put smiles back on our faces.

“It’s a long old slog, I’d ask for people to stick with us and we’ll turn it around. My track record shows that we’ll get there eventually.

“I just want it to happen sooner rather than later – not for myself but for the fans, for the board, who have been very supportive, great belief in what we’re trying to do here.

“Keep working on things and it’ll turn.”

Bradford’s goal came late, in the 83rd minute, to break the hearts of more than 4,600 fans, when Liam Kinsella turned the ball into his own net under pressure from striker James Vaughan.

And Clarke was left frustrated at the reaction of his players.

“I was a little disappointed when they scored – the reaction wasn’t great and I was a bit disappointed with that, which I’ve addressed in the changing room – I can’t have that, won’t have that, that’s non-negotiable for me,” he added. “You have to react and play to the final whistle, and we didn’t do that, too much body language, we looked defeated, I’m not having that and the players know that, that’s not the way I work.

“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again and then we’ll make sure we take the most of our opportunities.

“I don’t think you can look at any players that aren’t committed to the cause.

“People aren’t being honest with themselves if they say the commitment isn’t there.

“We’re working the balls into very good areas of the football pitch and we’re not taking the most of it, that’s nothing to do with commitment, desire – the lads are working.”