LATEST: SMITH ON DALE DEFEAT

Following Tuesday evening's disappointing Sky Bet League One defeat to Rochdale, Walsall manager Dean Smith spoke to the press, and pulled no punches in his criticism of the team's defending.

Following Tuesday evening's disappointing Sky Bet League One defeat to Rochdale, Walsall manager Dean Smith spoke to the press, and pulled no punches in his criticism of the team's defending.

Speaking to saddlers.co.uk, Smith said: “It was atrocious defending. At any level, if you give goals away like that, you will get walloped.

“We had an experienced back-line out there, but it was hard work and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb with our first half performance.

“It was massively frustrating, particularly after Saturday’s win, and the lads will come in on their day off tomorrow and we’ll have a look at it.

“Rochdale are a good team and have players in form, but you simply can’t give goals away like that.

“Yes, we’ve got injuries but that is no excuse for tonight’s display. As a defensive unit we were very poor and now we have to make sure that we learn from it and respond in the right way.”