Express & Star

Walsall boss Darrell Clarke believes the honeymoon period for his new-look side is over following defeat

Manager Darrell Clarke believes the honeymoon period for his new-look side is over after Walsall were beaten 3-0 at Plymouth.

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In a match that has mirrored their last three games in League Two, the Saddlers looked organised and well-drilled but lacked a cutting edge at Home Park.

Ryan Taylor opened the scoring for the hosts in the 13th minute after Ryan Lowe’s side started brightly.

But in the closing stages of the second half and for a long spell after the interval, it was Clarke’s men who were in top.

Yet they constantly failed to make the most of the dangerous positions they got themselves in.

And that allowed Antoni Sarcevic to double the hosts lead before Taylor netted again late on.

“For me, the honeymoon period is well and truly over,” Clarke said.

“I am disappointed with the points total of five points from five games.

“It is yet another game where we are looking to change momentum but we don’t do it in the final third - again.

“I’m frustrated, it wasn’t good enough. We had a lot of the ball, we worked a lot of opportunities, we got into good areas.

“But we didn’t take care of the final pass or final shot - it’s the same again.

“So we have got to work hard and get back to it on Monday morning and rectify what we need to be worked on - again.”

Walsall had more possession against a Plymouth side widely expected to be in the race for automatic promotion.

But Clarke says it’s not good having the ball if you are not effective with it.

“Everyone can see the areas we have worked the ball in,” the boss continued.

“We have had more possession than Plymouth but possession doesn’t win you football matches.

“You have got to be ruthless in the box, with your run, with your reaction with your final ball.

“All those bits and pieces and your finish - and until we start getting that right it’s going to be a long season.

“It’s disappointing, it’s all very well being confident and doing it in training - but you have to do it on the big stage. And in the last couple of games we haven’t done that.”