Walsall slump down to execution not tactics - Flint

Walsall defender Aden Flint says their current poor run of form in League Two is down to not executing plans properly rather than their style of play or tactics.

The Saddlers are currently on a run of five games without a win following their 3-1 home defeat by Barnet on Saturday and are now seventh, just one point clear of the Chesterfield who are leading the pack chasing the play-off places.

Walsall were top of the table on 26 December after beating Crewe Alexandra but their slump - that has seen them win just once in the eight league games since - has put increasing pressure on their promotion hopes.

And Flint said they were well off the pace against the Bees at the weekend.

"It's not good enough, and the recent weeks have not been quite the standards we've set ourselves and what we're about," the 36-year-old told BBC Radio WM.

"I've been in worse situations and we're still in a healthy position but we need to start winning."

Saddlers head coach Mat Sadler remained defiant in the face of criticism over the team's form after the Barnet game and Flint backed his boss, saying the players are not performing well enough.

"It's nothing to do with the shape or the tactics, it's just executing it properly," Flint said.

"If we don't do that on the day, we're never going to get anywhere. We need to have a look ourselves and sort it out sooner rather than later.

"The shape works because in August, September, October, November and December we were top of the table - so it's nothing to do with the shape.

"It's about us sorting ourselves out as a collective and executing the gameplans as we have been doing and getting back to winning.

"Obviously we want to be higher up but we're at the right end."

Walsall are in action again on 18 February at Grimsby Town, who could also close to within a point if the Mariners win.

Flint said that game has to be start of their improvement.

"Everyone needs to step up and be counted and show some grit and determination," he said.

"We've got 16 games left and you won't get 16 bigger games than the ones we have.

"If we want to get to where we want to, we have to dig in."