Walsall: Dean Smith focused on long-term goals

Walsall manager Dean Smith insists that he will remain focused on the long-term project at the Banks's Stadium, despite his side's run of poor form.

The Saddlers have slipped from sixth to 19th in League One after their untimely run of 15 matches without a win.

"The season will pan out, but we have to make sure that we're consistent in what we do," Smith, 41, told BBC WM.

"We want to develop players, we want to develop a style of play, and we want to win games - that's the most important."

Smith added: "I understand the fans' frustrations because they want to win football games as well.

"I know for a fact that every time I go out, there's three or four thousand people who think they can choose a better team."

Smith signed a new deal with the Saddlers in late October which will keep him at the Banks's Stadium until 2015.

And despite his side lying just three points off the relegation zone, Smith points out that the club's directors share his long-term outlook.

"The board have been fantastic," he said. "We sat down together in the summer and came up with a plan on how the club can move forward. But it's not going to be overnight."