Sadler urges frustrated fans to look forward
Mat Sadler took over as head coach at Walsall in 2023 after two spells there as a player
- Published
Walsall head coach Mat Sadler has put supporters' calls for him to go down to an instant gratification culture.
Sections of fans turned their frustration towards the Walsall boss following Saturday's 3-1 home loss to Barnet which extended their winless run to five games.
The Saddlers have won just once in their past 10 games in all competitions and sit seventh in League Two, having been top on Boxing Day.
"Unfortunately we live in this world now where everyone wants something straight away," Sadler said.
"That goes with media sucking that kind of rhetoric out there and that goes with supporters' dissatisfaction.
"Unfortunately we're not top of the league by 20 points, we're in the play-off positions at the moment. It's certainly not a poor season but we're going through a spell that we need to come out of quickly."
Sadler, who was appointed head coach in May 2023, would not be drawn on his future at the club.
"We've got brilliant people working for this football club and who own this football club, and steady people that have been around the block in the same way that I have in this game and see how it changes quickly," he said.
"So we have to remain positive the changes will happen in terms of we'll get back on that front foot, and we'll continue and get going again in the way that we play."
'There was a little bit of fear out there'
Sadler blamed a lack of energy and confidence from his players for Saturday's defeat, a fourth loss in their past eight league outings.
The hosts had just 25% possession during the match and three attempts on target to Barnet's nine.
"There was that little bit of fear out there and that's not us," Sadler told BBC Radio WM.
"That's not how we play or how we've proved we can play over the last couple of years.
"Of course when you go through these little spells, and everyone goes through them throughout a season, it's how quickly you can come out of them."
Supporters are still haunted by the spectre of last season when Walsall blew a 12-point lead at the top of the table with a run of one win in their final 14 games before losing in the play-off final.
However, Sadler has urged them to look ahead.
"We haven't got over the line in the way we would have wanted to over the years, but that can't be what frames our mindset going forward," he said.
"It's a completely different group and we have to keep thinking forwards."
Walsall return to league action on 18 February when they head to play-off chasers Grimsby Town.
