Walsall Head Coach Brian Dutton has spoken ahead of this evening's League Two clash with Barrow and insisted confidence remains high within the camp despite a poor run of results.
The Saddlers suffered a late defeat to Cambridge United last weekend as high-scoring Paul Mullin netted the only goal of the game deep into second-half stoppage time.
The result saw Walsall stretch their recent spell of poor form to just one win in thirteen league outings, a spell which puts them firmly among the worst performing teams in English football.
Dutton further insisted has been pleased with the progression of performances over recent outings and believes his side are in good spirits ahead of their six-pointer with fellow strugglers Barrow.
Speaking via the club's official website, Brian said; "The lads are full of confidence as strange as that may seem.
"Prior to me taking the job, we were one win in seven and since I took over that form has continued and we’re now without a win in six so the lads should be on their knees with confidence but they’re not.
"I don’t know whether it’s a case because the fans aren’t able to attend so they can’t hear that disgruntled-ness on the terraces.
"They’re full of confidence, they’re enjoying their football and showing me a real appetite of enthusiasm to go out there and perform.
"Apart from 70 minutes against Bradford, the performances have been what I’ve been looking for. It’s in its infancy, we’re starting a project and they need to implement what we’re asking of them and they are doing that.
"By no means are they the finished article but that doesn’t come overnight, Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m really pleased with the progression they’ve made but now we need to start getting results and turn that corner."
Twenty-second placed Barrow recently appointed Rob Kelly as interim manager following the departure of Michael Jolley and Dutton, who is also in the early stages of his spell in the hot seat, called upon his team to arrive at the match in the correct frame of mind.
The former Development Coach admitted the Bluebirds have plenty to play for an, as they won their most recent outing - a clash with Mansfield Town - they will arrive at the match full of confidence and keen to secure a second win on the bounce.
Dutton continued; "Let’s not go into this fixture with the wrong mindset. Barrow have got a new man at the helm – Rob Kelly.
"He’s had seven games in charge of Barrow this season and I believe he has won four and lost three. He’s won two in his last six so they’re in good form, better form than us.
"They’ve got players who are fighting for not only their own livelihoods but they’re fighting for everyone at the football club’s livelihoods because dropping out of the EFL in a normal season is severe but off the back of a global pandemic, it’s almost critical for a lot of clubs so they will know what’s a stake.
"They’ll be arriving as demons and giving everything for the football club so we need to match it and surpass it and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.
"We can’t go into this fixture lackadaisical and think it’s going to be an easy game, it won’t be. It’s going to be a tougher."