Smith is closing in on 100 league appearances for the Saddlers

Walsall defender Manny Smith is pleading with the club's board to allow manager Chris Hutchings more time to turn things round.

The Saddlers slipped to 22nd in League One despite Tuesday night's goalless draw at Leyton Orient.

"We know what's at stake, we knew before the game that people are under pressure," Smith told BBC WM.

"The gaffer and Martin O'Connor, I think they're superb. We do want them to stay and we want to be around them."

I think we owe it to the gaffer - we all owe it to him Manny Smith

The draw at Brisbane Road broke a run of six successive Saddlers defeats - and Smith believes the players need to stand up and be counted.

"I think we owe it to the gaffer, I owe it too through contracts, through him encouraging me, for making me a better player - I think all of us owe it to him," said the central defender, 21.

"They've worked with us for a long time and they know what we're about, they know what we can achieve and what to expect of all of us.

"Sometimes things aren't going our way and we haven't had the luck."

Walsall now have back-to-back home games with Yeovil and Exeter as they try to pull out of the relegation zone.

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