Home form is key

FAN SALUTE: Walsall's James O'Connor (front)

ATHLETIC will need to be watchful of a Walsall side frustrated in their bid to land five straight home victories in midweek.

The Saddlers' home game against struggling Chesterfield was called off at 6pm on Tuesday evening due to torrential rain that had made the pitch at the Banks's Stadium unsafe, in the view of referee Rob Lewis.

After consecutive wins over Sheffield United (4-1), Bristol Rovers (3-1), Northampton (2-1) and Peterborough (2-0), manager Jon Whitney and his players would have been chomping at the bit to get the game on.

As it it, their focus switches to ending Athletic's own five-game unbeaten run come Saturday.

"There was every chance the game could have gone ahead," Whitney told the Express and Star.

"We had planned for it. I got to the stadium at 4pm because I could foresee there might be an issue and it wasn't letting up.

"I knew when I saw the training ground it would be doubtful. But it's very rare we get games off here and when it is called off it's usually because of a frozen pitch.

"I can understand why and I asked the officials to wait half-an-hour longer, but I think it was the forecast that was the issue. It was predicted to rain for the next three hours so that's what's done it. It wasn't going to let up.

"And if it isn't a football match it doesn't favour my team so the decision has been made by the referee.

"He has to look at the safety of the players."

The Saddlers' experienced defender James O'Connor, who suffered a 1-0 loss at Wimbledon last weekend, holds that the home support can make the difference in close-fought games.

"Wimbledon was a disappointing and frustrating afternoon," said the 32-year-old, in his third season with the club after signing from Derby. "I thought it was a nothing game.

"Our home form has been excellent. It's the best run of wins at home since I have been at the club and I'm really enjoying that.

"And I think the crowd have been a big factor in that to be honest.

"In the tight games especially, they have been the difference between a draw and a win."