Saddlers remain in confident mood

ONE swallow does not make a summer — and one setback does not derail a remarkable promotion push.

Walsall's 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United brought to an end a run of three straight victories.

It was a first loss away from the Banks's Stadium since November 24, with Burton edging to eight points clear of interim boss Jon Whitney's men in Sky Bet League One's second promotion spot.

Walsall have the benefit of two games in hand on the Brewers, though, with sights still very much on an automatic place come early May.

With a modest budget and a squad unfancied to be anything more than mid-table fodder at best at the start of the campaign, many have been asking what the secret of the club's success is. together

Former physio Whitney (45), who took over from Sean O'Driscoll four games ago, believes that a Liverpool-style togetherness is one of the keys to the club's achievements.

Ex-Athletic manager Dean Holden has gone back to the club where he started on the coaching path and along with the vastly experienced John Ward and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, both off and on the field the blend is perfect.

“I am the person people are seeing as the manager but I don’t see myself as the manager at all," Whitney told the Express and Star.

“I see myself, Dean, Cuts, John, the players we’re all as one and I really do believe that. The fans and staff too, we are all one big group striving for success.

“It really is a group thing. It’s the Anfield Boot Room, but we have got a Walsall one. Everyone here as has a say and we want to hear their opinions.

“We don’t want people to be quiet, we want to learn together as a group."

Whitney, nominated for the manager of the month award for March, is also keen to play down the impact of a first defeat under his charge with eight games of the season still to go.

“We have got a special group of players and a special group of players give you a chance of winning things,” he added.

"We are still in a good position. We have got two games in hand – we have got eight chances – a lot of teams have only got six. We wanted to beat Sheffield United, but the biggest thing for me is consistency of performance.

“I don’t think first-half we looked like ourselves, but for the first 30 minutes they didn’t have a shot on target. Anybody can beat anybody."