Saddlers left-back Luke Leahy has spoken to the press ahead of this afternoon's League One clash with Plymouth Argyle, and admitted that manager Jon Whitney had every right to be angry with his players following their Boxing Day defeat to Rotherham United.
Luke, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "The gaffer had every right to be angry and say what he said. We were very disappointed. Our effort and determination was questioned and that hurts. You don’t have to be the best team in the world, but if you have got effort and determination it can take you a long way.
"Now it’s a New Year’s Day trip to Plymouth and we owe the fans a response. We owe it to the fans, to ourselves and to the manager after the performance against Rotherham. Come 5 o’clock on Monday we need to be talking about three points for Walsall."
With the Pilgrims entering today's game on a five match unbeaten run Leahy expects Derek Adams's side to provide a tough test. he continued; "We beat Plymouth at home 2-1 earlier in the season which was a very tough game. And I’m expecting that away from home.
"Our results over the festive period haven’t been the best but all it take is that two, three game winning run to push you right up the table. Plymouth are looking up the table. We are looking up the table as well. But we have to put a few results together to stop up from looking down the table."