Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoken to the press as he begins his preparations for the 2015/16 Sky Bet League 1 campaign, and has insisted that his side's defensive record does not necessarily mean they're missing a centre half.
Speaking to the Express & Star, Smith said; “If you look at our defensive record, it does not necessarily mean you need a commanding centre-half. Until losing at Bristol, we were in the top four defences in the division.
“People will look at their defender, Aden Flint, scoring a hat-trick. But I don’t think any of those strikes were from more than a couple of feet off the ground.
“In five games, we conceded 23 goals. In the other 41 games, we let in just 33. Defensively, barring the odd blip, we have been good.
“What we have not done is score enough goals in those games when defensively we have been strong.”