Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoken to the club's official website following Sunday afternoon's humiliating season-ending 8-2 defeat to league champions Bristol City, and has discussed his disappointment at the team's overall performance, especially in the second half, which saw the side concede six goals.Speaking to Saddlers.co.uk,Smith said; "We were very good for an hour. We competed with the best team in the League, played some good football and found ourselves level at 2-2.
"I was disappointed by the way in which we folded; the reaction to conceding that third goal was poor and we just couldn't stop the tide.
"We gave away some poor goals, something that we've not done all season. I hope that Craig MacGillivray isn't too scarred by this as there was little he could do about the goals in fairness.
"We went there and played an open and expansive game, which was serving us well in the opening period, but for me the turning point was when we went 3-2 behind and they scored on the break following our corner.
"Bristol City have set a benchmark of what we need to strive to do. They have been far and away the best team in this League and have achieved an outstanding level of consistency.
"I thought that our fans were excellent and stayed with the team throughout. It hurts to finish the season in this way; we've been on a good run of form recently and we mustn't forget that."