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Walsall 1 Cheltenham 2 - Player ratings

Liam Keen rates the Walsall players after their loss to Cheltenham.

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LIAM ROBERTS

An uncharacteristically poor performance from Roberts who didn't look assured at any point during the game. His error led to the first goal and his distribution was off. He's been solid this season but looked low on confidence. 5

GARY LIDDLE

Liddle really struggled. Fans were on his back early on but at right-back he did ok. Once moved to centre-back his positioning was poor and Varney had his number. Clarke has kept faith in him but hauled him off after 60 minutes. 4

JAMES CLARKE

Not a poor performance, but not his usual commanding self. He did well to set up Gordon when he won the penalty and had a decent game. But the team is low on confidence and the captain must galvanise them. 6

ZAK JULES

Jules teamed up well with Clarke and was effective in the air, in the absence of Dan Scarr. He looked comfortable, but was having to support Pring who was struggling and it deterred him from his own game. 6

CAMERON PRING

On his return from injury there was high hopes for Pring, but he didn't deliver. He looked nervous, devoid of confidence and scared to make a mistake. He often did, however, give the ball away and make poor passes and crosses. 5

ALFIE BATES

On his first league start for Walsall, Bates showed glimpses of promise. He's good on the ball and will put a foot in, but he needed a bigger presence next to him for support. Too many balls were square or backwards too. 6

LIAM KINSELLA

Another player who didn't live up to his usually high standards. Kinsella was anonymous for most of the play and made a glaring mistake, misplacing a short pass, which led to Cheltenham's winning goal. 5

STUART SINCLAIR

Sinclair was one of few players really putting the effort in to win the ball back. He was tenacious and scrapped for every ball. He always gives 100 per cent but it didn't quite work for him. 6

JOSH GORDON

Gordon worked his socks off, even playing on the right wing when he naturally comes through the middle. He needed a goal to get his confidence up and he showed great character to get up and take the penalty. 7

WES MCDONALD

McDonald showed glimpses of flair but he was isolated and left to work the magic on his own. He needs other players to support him and play those short passes to get him going. He has nothing from any angle. 6

RORY GAFFNEY

Perhaps one of Gaffney's poorest games in a Walsall shirt. He couldn't keep the ball at his feet, got caught in possession and didn't make or take an opportunity's on goal. He needs to do better. 5

SUBS: Adebayo (for Liddle 68) 5, Holden (for Kinsella 68) 5, Hardy (for Gaffney 84) 5. Subs not used: Rose, Sadler, Norman, Roberts.